Mohalenyane Phakela        

MAPITSO Hlophe, the winner of the inaugural Miss Queen of the Globe International, is still on cloud nine and believes the victory is the start of bigger things in her career.

The 22-year-old Hlophe was last Sunday crowned Miss Queen of the Globe International at a ceremony that was held at AVANI Lesotho Hotel.

She beat eight other contestants from India, Panama, Brazil, Nigeria, Cameroon, Liberia, Ghana and South Africa.

Hlophe’s first princess is from India while the second princess is from South Africa.

In the teen category, the winner came from South Africa, first princess from India and second princess from South Africa. Busisiwe Sambo from South Africa won the Little Miss title.

The Miss Queen of the Globe International is the brainchild of pageant organiser, Limakatso Makutle, and it featured 35 contestants in the three categories of Little Miss Queen of the Globe (ages 4 to 12), Miss Teen (13 to 17) and Miss Queen of the Globe (18 to 28).

The next edition is scheduled to be held next October in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

In a recent interview with Xpress People, the Lithabaneng-born stunner said that she had gained more confidence and had set her eyes on more international pageants.

“This year has been a good one for me in terms of international pageants because in September I represented the country in Georgia at the Miss Planet International where I won the Miss Personality title and now I have won the Miss Queen of the Globe International,” she said.

“Despite a tough beginning of losing, these titles have boosted my confidence in many ways and this means more international pageants for me. Miss Universe is however, my main goal.

“Through this pageant Lesotho will be better known internationally as contestants will be talking about our country and also losing to Lesotho. My wish is that Lesotho retains the title next year,” Hlophe said.

“I believe each country sent its best representatives as the competition was very tight and intimidating. And I don’t think I had any advantage because I was from the host country because we were judged in different categories by judges from different countries.

“My smile, height and the way I presented myself before the judges as well as ability to answer their questions were the factors that gave me an advantage over others,” she said.

Hlophe is an Adult Education student at the National University of Lesotho’s Institute of Extra Mural Studies.