Mohalenyane Phakela
SOCIALIST Revolutionaries leader, Teboho Mojapela, is the top trip sponsor of the Face of Lesotho 2018, Thabelo Ngatane, who will on Thursday fly to New Delhi in India for the Face of Beauty International.
The Thamae-born stunner will be competing with 50 other contestants from other countries at the prestigious pageant which will run from 7 to 17 September 2018.
Mojapela has bought the 18-year-old Ngatane a return flight ticket to India, paid for her visa and will also provide one of his flashy cars to transport the young beauty from Maseru to OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg where she will catch a flight to New Delhi.
Mojapela had no kind words for the government for failing to sponsor the model and said he was aware that if he did not assist the model then no one would.
“I was approached by Thabelo’s mother crying for help saying her child did not have means to get to India where she will be representing the country so I took money out of my pocket to sponsor the trip,” Mojapela said.
“It is only one child going who needed support but the government has failed to buy just a plane ticket for someone who is representing the country. I also blame the private sector for failing to invest in the community.
“This is the second time that I am sponsoring a model. With Thabelo’s case, I realised that if I did not help, no one was going to do so. I also help people in various ways and it is not because I have a lot of money, but I want to teach Basotho that we need to help each other.”
Other monetary sponsors include Leseli Financial Services, Stadium Area Member of Parliament Mokherane Tsatsanyane and Good Shepherd Sisters who also bought her 50 gift packs which Ngatane will have to give to her fellow contestants upon arrival in India. Fashion designer Mabeile Malataliana is also responsible for Ngatane’s wardrobe.
Speaking to Xpress People yesterday, the exuberant Ngatane said that she is grateful for the help she got.
“I knocked on various government ministries’ doors but I could not get any help and I am humbled by the gesture of people who took out their personal savings to sponsor my trip,” Ngatane.
“I feel the greatest way to show my appreciation is by ensuring that I bring the crown home on 18 September 2018. Michelle (former Face of Lesotho) set a record last year and I am going to try my best to ensure that I set a higher one.
“I believe other contestants will have an advantage over me due to my short height, however, I am going to ensure that I excel in all the categories. I am ready for the challenge,” she said.
Michelle Tau flew Lesotho’s flag high last year when she scooped the second runner-up prize in the same pageant. She continued on a good trend set by Face of Lesotho 2016 a year earlier, Mojabeng Senekal, who came third at the Face of Beauty International that year.
Now in its seventh edition, the Face of Beauty International pageant aims to develop young female leaders from around the world to empower contestants to find beauty and to become that beauty.
Contestants participate in charity events; workshops and symposiums; swim wear, national costume and evening gown competitions and travel in wanderlust across the host country together. Contestants must prove themselves intelligent, well-mannered and cultured.
Comments are closed.