The Miss Lesotho Organisation has confirmed that reigning queen Refiloe Makoae will represent the Mountain Kingdom at the Miss Cosmo 2025 international pageant, scheduled for December 20 in Vietnam.
The announcement comes after the organisation made the difficult decision to forgo hosting the Miss Lesotho 2025 edition, citing financial constraints. Instead of staging the annual competition, the organisation will channel its limited resources into preparing and supporting Makoae on the global stage.
For years, the Miss Lesotho pageant has served as one of the country’s leading platforms for empowering young Basotho women, fostering cultural exchange, and elevating Lesotho’s profile in the international pageant industry. But rising costs and sponsorship challenges have made it impossible to hold the national event this year.
Miss Lesotho Director, ‘Mabahlakoana Mosola, described the move as strategic yet difficult, aimed at ensuring Lesotho does not lose its voice internationally.
“It was not an easy decision to pause the 2025 edition of our national competition,” Mosola said.
“However, we believe it is important that Lesotho is represented internationally, even in challenging times. Refiloe has already proven herself as a true ambassador for our nation, and we are proud to support her journey to Vietnam. Our focus is on quality representation, and this step allows us to channel all our efforts towards that goal.”
The Miss Cosmo international pageant has in recent years risen to become one of the world’s most dynamic beauty platforms, bringing together contestants from across the globe.
It celebrates cultural identity, global diversity, and women’s empowerment while offering participants invaluable opportunities for international networking and exposure.
For Lesotho, participation at this level goes beyond beauty—it is about affirming the country’s presence on the global stage and sharing its unique cultural story.
For Makoae, the opportunity is both a privilege and a responsibility. Speaking after the announcement, she expressed deep gratitude to the Miss Lesotho Organisation and to Basotho for their unwavering support since she won the crown last year.
“I am deeply humbled by the trust placed in me to represent Lesotho at Miss Cosmo 2025,” Makoae said. “This is more than just a personal journey—it is a chance to share our culture, our resilience, and the beauty of our people with the world. I am determined to make Lesotho proud, and I am working hard to prepare for the competition.”
Makoae revealed that preparations are already underway, including fitness training, personal development sessions, wardrobe planning, and the development of advocacy projects close to her heart.
“Every moment I spend preparing is dedicated to the people of Lesotho. I want the world to see who we are, not only through beauty but through our values, our warmth, and our ability to inspire,” she added.
The Miss Lesotho Organisation emphasised that while this year’s local edition has been paused, the long-term vision remains to strengthen the pageant, attract more sponsors, and create sustainable opportunities for future contestants.
Mosola reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment: “Our mission is to grow the Miss Lesotho brand, to ensure it continues to empower young women and showcase Lesotho to the world. This pause is temporary, our vision is long-term.”
“This is not the end but a moment to realign our strategies. Our dream is to continue providing young Basotho women with platforms that empower them and open doors to international opportunities,” she said.
As Makoae prepares to fly the national flag high in Vietnam, the organization is expected to announce details of her official send-off and ways in which Basotho can support her journey.
Her participation ensures that Lesotho remains visible on the global pageant stage, despite the absence of a national competition this year. For many, Refiloe’s journey symbolises resilience, adaptation, and the determination to keep Lesotho’s voice alive internationally, even in challenging times.
Fifi, originally from Thaba Bosiu – where the great King Moshoeshoe I established his fortress, is a 25-year-old Bachelor of Arts in Organisational Psychology, working in Strategic Partnerships & Public Relations.
She will be Lesotho’s first representative at the second edition of Miss Cosmo, which was originally founded in 2024.
She is a former football player and recreational endurance athlete, enjoying hiking and jogging in her free time outside the pageant and fashion scenes. She’s a former Miss Maseru and the reigning Miss Lesotho.
Summary
- “This is more than just a personal journey—it is a chance to share our culture, our resilience, and the beauty of our people with the world.
- “Our mission is to grow the Miss Lesotho brand, to ensure it continues to empower young women and showcase Lesotho to the world.
- As Makoae prepares to fly the national flag high in Vietnam, the organization is expected to announce details of her official send-off and ways in which Basotho can support her journey.
A Professional Communications practitioner with a wealth of expertise in marketing, public speaking, communication and media relations. I believe in learning everyday and improving one’s personal and professional capabilities.
* A former journalist and radio host who is passionate about media and it’s impact on society.
