Face of Lesotho in bicentenary inspired theme

Chris Theko
The organisers of The Face of Lesotho recently hosted an elegant sash-awarding ceremony to officially introduce the 2024 finalists for the highly anticipated beauty pageant.
Held at Lancer’s Inn, the event celebrated Lesotho’s talent and beauty, showcasing the finalists who have worked tirelessly to reach this prestigious stage.
The ceremony was attended by pageant enthusiasts, family members, and local media representatives, all eager to witness the unveiling of this year’s contenders and to learn more about the new program planned for the Face of Lesotho competition.
The evening kicked off with a speech emphasising the mission of Face of Lesotho to empower Basotho youth and uplift local communities from the organisers. They outlined how this year’s theme will guide the finalists through a program designed not only to showcase their beauty and talent but also to focus on social impact initiatives and community engagement.
The 2024 coronation theme, “Africanicity”, encourages contestants to champion causes that align with the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Basotho nation.
In her address at the event, Face of Lesotho Director Lintle Setho clarified that the theme was not a call for attendees to wear African-themed attire. Instead, it is the contestants who will showcase what it means to be African, highlighting the cultural richness of the Basotho people and other African cultures during the event.
“We are crowning the participants in Seshoeshoe, not the attendees,” Setho explained. “We encourage our guests to dress in a demure and elegant manner, as the theme is about the contestants, who will showcase ‘Africanicity’ on stage. For our attendees, this will be a very elegant red carpet affair.”
This theme serves as a reminder that beauty queens are not only ambassadors of grace and elegance but also representatives of their country and culture.
The 2024 Face of Lesotho pageant program has been re-imagined to include workshops and outreach activities centered on sustainable skills development, entrepreneurship, and self-confidence. The organisers are setting a new standard by incorporating training sessions led by experts in public speaking, community activism, and environmental awareness.
“As young people, we know that Lesotho struggles with a high unemployment rate after graduation, so we are rethinking the program for our queens after coronation. We want to introduce empowerment through skills development and education,” Setho said. “We are also looking to raise awareness on community health and wellness through our impact initiative program.”
These new additions reflect Face of Lesotho’s broader objectives to uplift and equip young Basotho women with skills that will benefit them beyond the pageant. Organisers are hopeful that this year’s focus on empowerment and sustainable change will not only help the finalists grow individually but also create a lasting impact in their communities.
The finalists took center stage, each receiving their sash as the crowd cheered them on. The ceremony was filled with moments of pride and inspiration as these young women prepare to represent Lesotho on both national and international stages.
The Face of Lesotho competition has a longstanding history of recognizing and nurturing talent within Lesotho, and this year’s program reflects an evolution that aligns with the modern pageant industry’s emphasis on purpose and impact.
“We are incredibly proud of our finalists and the direction that Face of Lesotho is taking this year. By the time we reach the coronation, these young women will have grown immensely—not just as individuals, but as leaders who are passionate about making a difference,” said Setho.