Mohalenyane Phakela
THE 15th edition of Miss Million Dollar 2014 pageant, to be held at Emperor’s Palace in Johannesburg on 23 November, is set to feature more Basotho beauty queens than previous years.
The Miss Million Dollar contest ranks among South Africa’s most glamorous pageants and is synonymous with style and glamour.
Over the years the pageant has become prestigious not least because of the prizes on offer worth up to a million Rands and trips to Europe even for the spectators upon getting questions right or in an auction bid to raise funds for charity.
Since its inception, the pageant has managed to attract entrants from all the nine provinces of South Africa. It was only since last year that beauties from the Mountain Kingdom were accorded the opportunity to participate in the prestigious event for the first time.
One of the organisers and the sole sponsor of the pageant, Italian-born businessman Franco Darrigo, revealed in an interview with Xpress People that all they want is a girl that “shines like a million dollars”.
According to Darrigo, the Miss Million Dollar pageant is the most glamorous pageant in South Africa and one of the best in the world, adding that over the years it has grown in style and size.
“We started the pageant 14 years ago as a platform for South African beauties to gain international exposure,” Darrigo said.
“We are looking for someone who shines like a million dollars, who will utilise her strengths to change the world. She will engage in various fundraising activities and please the sponsors in everything she does.”
The winner, Darrigo said, will be taken to Italy and have a photo shoot as well as exposure to international modeling talent scouts. She will also enroll in a free modeling course soar as high as possible,” he said.
Having realised the success of the event and the sterling performance of Basotho beauties in their first entry, local pageant organiser and director of Beauty Pageants Association of Lesotho, Tlali Tlali, has since promised to take up to 20 local girls to Johannesburg this year.
“Last year we were represented by Karabelo Mokoallo, Refiloe Pheku and Gladys Pelesa,” Tlali said from Johannesburg where he is currently organising the entry details of the local girls.
“We only took those three because they were more experienced in international pageants.
“I am willing to take up to 20 girls to this year’s edition to increase our chances of winning and expose more Basotho models to glamorous pageants.”
Although she did not manage to win the sought after title last year, Pheku managed to walk away with the Miss Vitality title, which is awarded to the entrant in the Miss Million Dollar pageant who looks healthier on the ramp than her competition, courtesy of Herbalife.
The former Miss Vodacom PC FM was given a Herbalife hamper estimated to the value of R12 000, a Herbalife course and a contract to work with them until her replacement is selected in this upcoming pageant.
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