Lebakile Mokhohlane was crowned as Miss World Lesotho 2016 by the outgoing queen Relebohile Mamaphathe Kobeli at an ostentatious pageant held at Maseru AVANI. She will represent Lesotho in Miss World 2016. Tsepiso Mokobori and Khalalelo Jaase were adjudged as first and second princess, respectively.

The 21 years old beauty queen, Lebakile Kiki Matau Rachel Mokhohlane hails from Maseru. Mokhohlane has completed her second year in the University of Pretoria, and is doing LLB Law. Mokhohlane, who comes from Lower Thetsane, beat 22 other contestants to walk away with the exalted title. Completing the Top 6 finalists spots were Rorisang Babeli, Rethabile Tšosane, Kelello Rantemana and Rethabile Nkala.

The beauty contest was collaboration between Miss Lesotho organizers and the Federation of Lesotho Rugby and sought to promote rugby among Basotho, in particular the female population. Contestants were also rewarded for personality, confidence, dance, talent, charity and top model. It seems that Lesotho is on the right path towards Miss World crown.

After winning the prestigious award, Mokhohlane was beaming with joy and expressed her overwhelmed feeling towards the paparazzi, as she revealed that her mother was also crowned as Miss Lesotho in 1979. Further, the newly crowned beauty queen added that she entered the pageant because she wanted to use it as a platform to have a positive impact on different communities.

The 21 years old added: “When I saw how easily South African youths can access the different resources they need compared to life here at home, I felt I needed to do something to change this. I saw this pageant as an appropriate vehicle towards changing people’s lives for the better. My biggest goal at the moment is to tackle the current drought that is afflicting the nation especially in the rural areas. For me, it was never about winning as this is my first pageant. All I wanted was to gain experience. I was also one of the three struggling girls during rehearsals but then I never hesitated to ask for help when I needed it. This title is a stepping stone towards Miss World which I have automatically been entered for as one of the contestants. Pageants are not going to end with me so I plan to give them my all as they serve as an inspiration to others.”

Lesotho is serious about Miss World and this year after crowning such a strong woman, definitely there is a ray of hope.