Miss Culture Lesotho a tradition enthusiast
’MAKERESEMESE LETUKA
MASERU – The newly crowned Miss Culture Lesotho says the pageant is a perfect platform to change the way youth perceive their culture. Thabelo Ngatane, is a 22-year-old female born and raised at Upper Thamae in Maseru. She is currently in her second year at the Centre for Accounting Studies, studying General Accounting.
Thabelo has taken part in several beauty pageants such as the Miss Junior Teen Kingdom Nations 2014, Miss Upper Thamae 2016, and Face of Lesotho 2018, where she became queen in all three pageants – until recently when she strutted her stuff in the Miss Culture Lesotho. She has also represented Lesotho in India at the Face of Beauty International 2018. She is also a runway model for the Bajinity Edition brand and had her first runway walk last year in October.
“I joined the Miss Culture Lesotho pageant because, unlike most of my peers who have neglected our culture, I am obsessed with tradition…and I believe this pageant is a perfect way to learn more about my culture. “Now that I have won this pageant I am determined to embrace and keep my culture going until it is acknowledged by other African countries and even beyond Africa. But, most important, I want to inspire young Basotho girls and show them the importance of culture as a Mosotho girl,” she told Life&Style.
Thabelo battled her way to the crown against 13 contestants to walk away with M12 000 cash prize and a hamper from Tripham. She will represent Lesotho in the Miss Culture International competition which will be held in the South African KwaZulu-Natal Province in September 2022. The 1st Runner-up was Lithapelo Makhele and the Second Runner-up Keneuoe Talanyane.
Tšepang Putsoa walked away with M12 000 for scooping Mr Culture Lesotho where George Tšoana was First Runner-up while Tlhokomelo Lerema finished 2nd Runner-up. The 1st Runner-up received M6 000, and the 2nd Runner-up got M3 000 in both the male and female categories. The event was held on Saturday at Victory Hall in Maseru, together alongside the launch of the King Moshoeshoe International Fashion Show, organised by Film Sector Ground-breakers Lesotho.
