Lekopanye Mooketsi It could just have been like any other beauty pageant.
The beautiful contestants were parading in stunning evening wear and waltzing to some breathtaking background music. The only difference about the Miss VIP Deaf pageant was that the contestants were hearing impaired. But to the amazement of the guests, the fact that the contestants were hearing impaired could not deter them from showing off their deft dancing skills. As if they could hear the music, the contestants were in tune with the rhythm. Not a single one of them took a wrong step. This led to some people wondering whether the contestants were really hearing impaired. Indeed, the contestants were hearing impaired but the organisers had taken them through rehearsals and showed them how to dance. Neo Mmipi was declared the queen while Kefhile Tshireletso was named the first princess and Albertina Kanguaatenge the second princess. Speaking through a sign language interpreter, Mmipi said she was delighted to win the pageant. She was overwhelmed by the occasion because she is a veteran of beauty pageants. Mmipi had also tried her hand in modelling. She was once entered a modelling competition. She would like to compete in the Miss Botswana pageant one day. That is her ultimate dream as far as beauty pageants are concerned. Mmipi who is staying in Mmopane, is currently unemployed. As Miss VIP Deaf, Mmipi intends to become an ambassador of people who are hearing impaired and to represent their interests. It did not come as a surprise that Mmipi walked away with the crown because she was the people’s choice. There could have been a riot if the judges had selected somebody else. When it was announced that she was the queen, the hall erupted in applause. Although Mmipi was declared the queen, all the contestants were winners in their own right.One the organisers, Monicah Malejane of Davilla Investments, confirmed that all went well despite starting late.
They identified the missing link and saw the need to bring them on board through beauty pageants. Kgotlafela said the beauty queen would be an ambassador for people who are hearing impaired in the country. She said the Miss VIP Deaf would be a constant reminder to the nation of their existence, their capabilities as well as their significance in the society at large.”I would like to urge all of you to identify and create opportunities to empower this young woman who will in turn empower others like her to create more awareness about the needs and challenges of deaf members of our society. It is very appropriate that we hold events such as this one because they provide us with the opportunity to, among, others, reflect upon their significance and indeed, the vision itself,” Kgotlafela said.