24 Jul 2022

Twenty-year-old Gorata Masalela impressed the judges during the question and answer session of the Miss RADP beauty pegeant at Phuduhudu in the Ngamiland District over the weekend. She got the crown.

The first princess title went to 24- year-old Gloria Kelaotswe while 19-year-old Ompelege Lelooge settled for the second princess spot.

In the male category, 22-year-old Tshepo Majaga outclassed Tapedza Diabona and Larona Ngwengare to become Mr RADP while Diabona and Ngwengare were sashed first and second prince respectively.

The pageant themed; Unearthing Natural Beauty and Talents, was organised by Maun Administration Authority .

Through the initiative, the government wants to unearth a hidden talent so that the young men and women can identify their beauty and feel free to participate in national activities.

After being crowned, Masalela, a University of Botswana student admitted that young people from her community were talented, but lacked confidence and self-esteem to develop and nurture their talent.

She urged young people to build their confidence and participate in community activities as well as take advantages of initiatives offered by the government to improve their livelihoods.

Education, she said, was key to the development of rural communities and encouraged them to embrace it.

She also motivated others to utilise their talents to develop themselves as well as their communities.

Phuduhudu VDC chairperson, Sekgalo Manika thanked the government for coming up with the initiative and urged young people to take it seriously as it intended to change their lives for the best.

He also urged parents to encourage their children to embrace the initiative as it could open opportunities leading to the realisation of their dreams.

The chairperson expressed concern that some youths had resorted to social ills while some were dropping out of school to idle and urged them to exploit opportunities availed by the government to shape their future.

Manika appreciated that such events as Mr and Miss RADP was not only a display of beauty, intellect and prowess, but culture was also represented.

Meanwhile, Masalela and Majaga will face contestants from other remote areas of Mababe, Khwai and Somelo to compete for a spot in the Maun Sub-region competitions in October.

The winners from Maun, together with their counterparts from Okavango Sub-district will  represent North West region at the finals to be held in Gaborone in a date to be announced. ENDS