Lerato Matheka
MASERU — For the second time in the history of the prestigious Miss World beauty pageant, Lesotho will be represented.
Karabelo Mokoallo, 23, will raise the kingdom’s flag at this year’s edition in Sanya, China, on October 30.
Since ‘Makoena Mpinane Lepolesa became the first Mosotho to vie for the Miss World title in 2003, no one else from this country had entered the pageant.
Now Karabelo has followed ‘Makoena’s footsteps and will be among the 120 contestants expected for the 60th edition of the pageant next month.
The Butha-Buthe beauty rose to national prominence in 2009 when she won Lesotho’s biggest beauty pageant, Miss Vodacom PC FM.
The previous year she had scooped the Miss Lesotho Companies title.
“I have always wanted to participate in Miss World so when I received confirmation from them I didn’t think twice,” Karabelo told the Sunday Express.
“All I wanted was to be among the girls.”
“And moreover, Miss World is the most recognised international pageant so I knew it would be easier for my potential sponsors to recognise the pageant,” she added.
The 1.75m model had initially opted to enter the less-glamorous Miss Globe International, set for Turkey next month, after Miss World organisers delayed confirming her entry.
Karabelo said she was confident of making the Miss World finals, although she admitted it was not going to be a stroll in the park.
“Confidence will drag me to the finals,” she said.
“Competition is hard to determine at this point because all the girls I have seen on the Miss World website are very beautiful.
“But I hope to be among the 16 finalists on October 30 when the winner is announced.”
Karabelo said her biggest challenge however was to source sponsorship for her to make it to the beauty extravaganza.
“My budget is approximately M70 000 and I have limited time to find sponsorship,” she said.
“I am hoping local companies will be kind enough to help me put Lesotho’s modelling potential on the world map.”
“They need me to bring eight evening gowns, six smart suits and presents for charity shows during our stay in October,” she added.
“This is the most interesting experience of participating in a pageant.”
