Mohalenyane Phakela

AFTER representing the country exceptionally well at the 2012 Miss University Africa (MUA), beauty queen, Rorisang Molefe has promised to fly the national flag high in the Miss United Countries pageant set for November this year in Manila, Philippines.

Molefe won the (MUA) pageant which was held in Gambia and, on her return, was welcomed amid pomp and fanfare by a delegation which included senior government officials at Moshoeshoe I International Airport.

The 22-year old is not only endowed with beauty, but brains as well, since she is currently in the final year of a law degree at the National University of Lesotho.

Molefe told Xpress People this past week her MUA title precluded her from participating in other pageants.

“I am still holding the Miss University Africa title since 2012 because there hasn’t been a pageant to find my successor. The title restricts me from contesting in any other pageant,” she said.

“Many pageants have come my way but I didn’t pay them any attention due to the restriction.”

The stunner said she was given the go ahead to compete in the pageant on condition she did not hand over the title to her successor.

“I informed the Miss University Africa organisers I wanted to compete in a global pageant since my tenure has long lapsed. They agreed to let me compete on condition I will not be the one to hand over the title when my successor is crowned,” she said.

The Miss United Countries pageant stands for the advancing of newly-set United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The 17 SDGs are meant to end poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and tackle climate change as well as the empowerment of women. Eligible contestants are unmarried ladies between the ages of 17 and 30 who will compete for the Miss Countries title.

The Lower Thamae-hailing beauty will face off with 37 other contestants from across the globe. Molefe promised to proudly represent the nation at the finale and asked Basotho to support her when she walks on the ramp.

“The pageant requires contestants to advocate for women’s empowerment; something I have already been doing under the Miss University Africa title that made me the United Nations ambassador,” she said.

“When I walk on that ramp, I will not be representing myself only, but the whole country. The pageant will afford me international exposure. “Even if I don’t win, my participation will promote Lesotho on the world stage.”