Zebaldt Ngaruka
Miss Namibia’s public choice and first runner-up 2025, Uatjiri Mbaisa, said her village Erindiotjirarua, in the Omaheke region’s Otjinene constituency, played a pivotal role in her endeavours in the country’s elite beauty pageants.
Mbaisa shared this with VIBEZ!, saying that her achievement in the peagent has been the spirit of Erindiotjirarua, the very ground that raised and shaped her.
“I am not surprised it took a village to get me here. This attainment is proudly powered by my village, and it is where it all started. Thank you for believing in me, in my ability, and in the power of dreams that come from humble beginnings,” she said. The beauty queen also appreciated the family, friends, the entire Otjinene community, and even the supportive fans.
Also, she singled out the contribution of the senior Namibia football team’s goalkeeper Loydt Kazapua, throughout her journey.
“I acknowledge you with deep gratitude. The way you stood by me, before the world even knew about my entry, will forever mean the world to me,” Mbaisa noted. She won several beauty awards, such as Miss Concordia first runner-up in 2014 and second princess at Miss UNAM in 2017.
“While those titles may seem small to some, they were significant stepping stones that helped shape my confidence and opened up opportunities within my journey,” said the beauty queen who started her modelling career in 2016.
“I still remember my first audition vividly. I was not fully prepared; I was in the wrong heels, but I showed up with nothing but courage. I didn’t make it that year, but that experience laid the foundation for everything that came after,” she recalled.
Mbaisa said her journey in the pageant has deepened her commitment to establishing the Creative Industry Union, a formal body that recognises the creative sector as a vital contributor to Namibia’s economy.
“Our mission is to protect creative, set industry standards, and ensure that careers in fashion, media, and the arts are seen as legitimate, respected, and economically viable,” she said.
The beauty queen added that a major focus will be to address the exploitation faced by models and other creatives by setting fair pay structures and advocating for ethical working environments.
“Alongside this, I plan to sign with a reputable modelling agency to grow my career on both regional and international stages.” Asked what advice she would share with the young ones pursuing in her footsteps, she singled out self-validation as the key aspect to succeed in the modelling and beauty industry.
“You have to tell your own story before the world tries to tell it for you. Stand firm in who you are and what you carry. The power is in your authenticity. When your heart is there, nothing will be difficult,” she advised.
The beauty queen added that the MTC Windhoek Fashion Week has also played an instrumental role in her career.
“It has been more than just a platform, a space where I have grown, evolved, and thrived as a runway model. They paved the way for me to find my footing in the industry, and I am grateful for the opportunities that came with it,” she said, among others.
-zngaruka@yahoo.com