NDINELAGO Emosho, an educator at Ekulo Senior Secondary School in the Oshikoto region, was crowned Miss Tourism Africa 2024 on Tuesday in Lagos, Nigeria.
The beauty queen not only won the admiration of the judges and audience, but also received the Best National Costume accolade during the grand finale.
She also walked away with a cash prize of £2 000, approximately N$46 000, along with various other rewards. Emosho (27), who hails from Olupembana village in the Omusati region, possesses a diverse range of interests. In addition to her role as a teacher, she is passionate about pageantry, education, adventure and fitness.
Her journey to the Miss Tourism Africa 2024 pageantry commenced in June when she was crowned Miss Tourism Namibia.
She revealed that her journey to Miss Tourism Africa was not rosy, but with sheer determination, she prevailed.
“My experience in Nigeria has been amazing. The people are warm, caring and hilarious. The vibrant culture we see in movies truly comes alive here. I even got to try some delicious, albeit very spicy, dishes I have always wanted to taste. From exploring the bustling streets to taking my first train journey from Abeokuta to Lagos, every activity added to the fun,” she said.
She remarked that obtaining sponsorship proved to be quite difficult.
However, she expressed her gratitude for the numerous individuals who supported her.
Emosho informed VIBEZ!that her national costume was crafted by the creative team of Exclusive Artswork and Wear.
Alongside her national director, the team designed a costume that embodied her identity and showcased the vibrant diversity of Namibia.
Exclusive Artswork and Wear beautifully brought the concept to life in a costume titled ‘Queen of the North, Leader of Nutrition’.
“Modelling isn’t something I specifically drew inspiration for. It is a passion that has been with me since a young age – an integral part of who I am,” she revealed.
Emosho said her modelling career commenced at an early age when she took part in a Miss Christmas pageant that was organised by her aunts. During her high school years, she continued to participate in pageants where she e x c e l l e d and secured m u l t i p l e p a g e a n t r y titles. She said this commitment led to her participation in the Miss Namibia competitions in 2019 and 2024, culminating in her significant achievement of being crowned Miss Tourism Africa 2024.
She intends to leverage the Miss Tourism Africa platform to motivate others to chase their aspirations, while also promoting Namibia’s rich cultural heritage and natural beauty to enhance tourism.
The Miss Tourism Africa Organisation, based in Nigeria, is a distinguished global entity that honours and celebrates diverse cultures, backgrounds and religions.
It is deeply committed to beauty, tourism, education and community, with a particular emphasis on empowering women.
-pmukokobi@nepc. com.na