By Libuseng Nyaka
QWAQWA – With tradition and culture appearing to be taking a backseat in modern society, the organizers of the Indoni Beauty Pageant has adopted the old adage that goes ‘the stick must be straightened while still wet’ (teach them while young), as its them for this year’s event.
The program, which aims to revitalize South Africans’ tradition and culture, was first incepted in 2011, under the supervision of cultural analyst Dr Nomcebo Mthembu. This pageant, which is held annually at the Durban International Convention Centre, includes all ethnic groups speaking the 11 South African languages.
It is funded by the South African Broadcasting Corporation and the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.
This year the Basotho kingdom will be represented by 18-year old Malekena None of Masilo location, Theunissen, and 22-year old up-and-coming traditional music star Moeketsi Ngesemane of Ha Nchabeng village, QwaQwa. They will be portraying Basotho King and Queen.
Speaking with the Guard after the conclusion of the selection process at Sports and Culture House in Phuthaditjhaba on Saturday, 07 August 2021, Malekena said she feels blessed as she faces a mammoth task of being a good role model who will be advocating exactly how girls should carry themselves.
“I’m very much honoured and privileged to have made it this far and to be representing my Kingdom. It was not a walk in the park as the contestants’ lists started narrowing.”
She said her mission is to proudly represent Basotho well this year and that should serve as an accurate portrayal to her Kingdom in the country.
Her partner, Moeketsi, locally renowned for his traditional music and dance, said he will provide education to his peers that will certainly fall on fertile soil for young people to return to their roots.
“I’m very humbled to have made it to the finals. I promise to bring the Basotho kingdom back where it used to be six years’ ago”. He said.
Free State provincial organizer, Mamohlwai Jacobeth Leshota, said the primary objective of the Indoni Beauty Pageant was to instil confidence in young men and women to know their worth and be proud of their heritage and pride.
“Indoni is a cultural education centre where children are given free cultural education with the aim of creating a community that knows where they are going,” she said.
Both None and Ngesemane were the winners at provincial level this year and automatically became the representatives of the Basotho Kingdom at national level in Durban in December.
