RUNDU – Vicky Hamukwaya has been crowned Miss Rundu Arts and Cultural Festival for 2013 in the recently launched Rundu Arts and Cultural Festival that took place here last Saturday.
Clementine Kahany was crowned the first princess and Cecilia Hausiku second princess. Patemashela Lukolo is Miss Personality and Paulina Matias Miss Photogenic. The Rundu Arts and Cultural Festival pageant was launched last week and it is aimed at promoting social unity among the youths in Rundu, according to its Chairperson, Edward Mukoya. “We want to show the people in the Kavango regions that beauty with brains exists in the regions, and also hope to find the young ambassadors that can inspire and motivate other youths in the society,” Edward explains to New Era Art Life
The beauty pageant’s objective is to advance national pride among school and college students in the Kavango regions while it is also aimed at helping young Namibians deal with social problems affecting them such as teenage pregnancies, alcohol and substance abuse and responsibility towards their school work. Vicky (16) is currently in Grade 9 at Noordgrens Secondary School here and says she wants to take her modeling career seriously and would like to make a difference by serving her communities during her reign. “I believe in myself and would like the take this opportunity to thank the Rundu Arts and Cultural Festival organisers for coming up with such a brilliant programme for Rundu town. I would like to study hard and pursue for a course in Pharmaceutical studies at the University of Namibia or abroad,” says Vicky.
Vicky won N$1500 and cosmetic hampers. Clementine walked away with N $ 1 000 plus a hamper while Cecilia won N$ 500 and a goodies hamper. Vicky enjoys eating Mexican pizza, playing netball and volleyball, reading novels and was inspired by her mother who also shared the same name with her Vicky Hamukwaya (senior). Clementine is currently studying for a teaching course with the University of Namibia (UNAM). Cecilia is in Grade 11 at the Rundu Secondary School. She says modeling has been her dream.
“My dream is becoming a reality and after my Grade 12 next year, I will make sure that I embark on further studies while modeling as well,” she explains.
The crowning night was a night of thousands twists and turns with guests enjoying a musical performance by the award-winning Kwaito and House music artist, Gazza aka Karandu who performed some of the hits from his latest album, Blood, Sweat and Tears.
Loide Mukwenje, one of the organizers promises the second event next year to be bigger and better. However, she is appealing for more sponsors.
By Clemence Tashaya