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.

But she said they had to do things slowly so that the contestants could be able to cope. She said they intend to stage the pageant next year. The mild mannered Malejane said there would be a prize giving ceremony at which the prizes would be announced.

The Miss VIP Deaf pageant, which was held at the Ditshupo Hall on Friday, was quite successful. This was an event that needs the support of the corporate sector not the hastily organised beauty pageants whose main target is to make a quick buck.One of the touching moments was when the contestants paraded in wedding gowns and staged a mock wedding with their partners, who were also hearing impaired. But the contestants still had more in store for everyone. They later had the guests eating from the palm of their hands. The contestants proved that they are talented like everyone else when they are given a chance. They also showed that they are lovely people and could have fun just like other people. The night belonged to the hearing impaired people as they stole the show.The event was spiced with performances by various local artists, including last year's Pop Star winner, Tebogo Tlhagadikgora.

Local songbird, Veronica Brooks who is known by her stage name, Vebrok, took the contestants through their paces as she led them to the stage. Vebrok staged a memorable performance and the contestants danced to her music. She really becomes emotional when she performs How can I kill Someone That I love?Another local group that performed was Wizards of the Desert, which rocked the crowd during their brief appearance. Officiating at the pageant, the public relations officer for Vision 2016 secretariat, Charity Kgotlafela paid tribute to the organisers for realising that beauty pageants were not extended to the disadvantaged members of the society.

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.

"To fulfill the pillar of a compassionate, just and caring nation, we need to continue to support the needy and physically challenged members of our society. Your contribution goes a long way in assisting these members of our society to retain their dignity."

Kgotlafela urged Batswana to make deliberate efforts to eradicate negative social attitudes towards people with disabilities and free them from all forms of discrimination and abuse. She said this would enable Batswana to achieve the envisaged moral and tolerant nation by 2016.Some of the major sponsors of the pageant were renowned fashion designers Angel, Bothakga Burrow, Thorium, Mapulaneh Group, Savuti Security Services, Loads of Living. Other sponsors included Incredible Connection, The Barber Shop, Mystica Hair Salon, Be Still Hospitality, Moretwana Fitness, Vefab Beauty Palour, Iteko Supermarket, Micca, Polished Oak, Yarona Fm, Mmegi and Sunday Standard.