By Seleoe Nonyane
Miss Culture Lesotho Keketso Jobo can’t wait to fly the country’s flag high at the Zuri Africa Queen pageant to be held in South Africa next weekend.
Twenty-one-year old Keketso was crowned Miss Culture Lesotho last year and the title opened up an opportunity for her to be part of the coming contest.
She told this publication that she is more than ready to fly the Lesotho flag and showcase her culture, although she is still short on funds to go for the competition.
She, however, remains confident that despite this, she will be able to compete in the Zuri Africa Queen contest.
Keketso needs at least M14 000 for the trip but she has not been able to raise this. So far, she has received sponsorship of outfits from some businesses such as BE YOU WOOLEN, which has provided her with a bikini.
She noted that preparations for the pageant have been so painstaking that at some stage she contemplated pulling out. However, she‘s no longer a quitter and giving up is not an option.
The courageous belle recalled how she had thrown in the towel before, and insisted history will not repeat itself this time around.
“I once got an opportunity to represent Lesotho at the Miss Eloquent Africa in South Africa last year but I failed to go because I did not put in enough effort to make sure I got to the competition.
“I over-exerted myself in my bid to take part in the contest and it was emotionally, mentally and physically draining, but it prepared for this moment, Now that I have been around the block, this time I know what I need to do to realise my dream,” she said.
Keketso stated that she is an advocate and ambassador for culture, and it is an honour to showcase hers to other nations.
As far as she is concerned, being part of this competition and participating in cultural issues in general will make her an agent who will show other young people that it is important to know their culture and heritage.
The beauty queen said it was a case of second time lucky for her as she had joined the Miss Culture competition previously, making it to the finals but not emerging victorious.
Entering the competition for the second time was an indication of the beauty queen’s love for her culture, something she wants to pass on to other young people.
Keketso noted that she has learnt a lot about her culture that she did not know before her reign. She holds two titles, namely Miss Culture 2022/2023 and Miss NUL 2022/2023.
