Windhoek
Twelve young beauties and brains are in the finals of Miss Namibia 2016 vying for the crown on July 9 with many if not all of the roads expected to head for one of the capital’s and the country’s premier hospitality rendezvous, the Windhoek Country Club and Resort which is hosting the glitzy pageant this year. The event will start at 20h00 and tickets are available for N$350. Timeout’s Selma Neshiko caught up with the beauties to find out why each deserves the crown and what each would do differently when crowned?
Andeline Wieland (21) (Swakopmund)
Four years after holding the title of Miss Teen Namibia (2012) and competing internationally, I know, firstly, just how short a year is when you’re trying to make a change, and secondly, I know what the international pageant community is looking for. All the current contestants deserve the title due to their hard work, patriotism and persistence. I however, am led by a vision. As Miss Namibia, God willing, I would like to spend my reign traveling to schools in Namibia and addressing issues such as gender based violence, teenage pregnancy, body image, rape and more with the future generations of our nation. I regularly address these topics on campus at Stellenbosch University and strongly feel it is time to address the elephant in the room.
Jessica Ramires(23)
(Oshakati)
Miss Namibia should be a role model who is influential among the youth. She must be kind, compassionate and has the passion to help and speak for the voiceless. Above all she needs a strong relationship with God to help her stay true to herself and maintain her morals and values. I believe I possess all of these qualities and that is why I deserve to be crowned Miss Namibia 2016.What I would do differently is to start an initiative to work with most of the previous Misses Namibia as two heads are better than one. I will then register the Oshakati Annual Charity Drive as a foundation and make our main objectives financial literacy, especially amongst women in the rural areas and an education programme to try and combat the high failure rates in Namibia.
Cadeescha Hampira (20) (Windhoek)
Becoming Miss Namibia 2016 is an honour and a privilege. I intend to use this honour to have a positive influence on the youth, support and encourage them to voice their opinions to strive towards a better Namibia. I also aim to try to the best of my ability to solve the issue of the congested city center by encouraging the Non-Motorized Transport System to decrease the impact on the environment as it is in line with my field of study which is Tourism Management.
Francisca Nghidhikamuka (23)
(Ohangwena Region)
Former Misses Namibia have done great and very inspirational things and as much I would like to follow in their footsteps and engage in enhancing humanitarian awareness. I have a few ideas which range from establishing a safe house for women who are victims of abuse/underprivileged and other acts of injustice to creating a platform for young and
upcomingNamibian women to experience and appreciate their beauty from a young age.
Leanne Cloete (20)
(Rehoboth)
I believe I have what it takes to be an ambassador and represent our country as it should be. I will make a difference by working more in the smaller communities in an effort to make a real change.
Michelle Boucher (22) (Swakopmund)
I deserve the title of Miss Namibia because I will make a change with Cerebral Palsy (CP) in Namibia. Resources are growing, but not nearly as fast as it should and with the title of Miss Namibia, awareness can be brought to not only the people of Namibia but also the people of the world. As Miss Namibia I promise to raise as enough funds as possible for a proper education for these children, and to teach their families that CP is something that one can better with the right treatment that they can give. I live to make a change for these butterflies.
Maila (23) (Oranjemund)
I strongly believe that the entire top 12 finalists have the potential to win and in their own right deserve to win. What sets me apart is that my patriotism has pushed me to be entirely committed towards assisting fellow Namibians to improve their standard of living and their quality of life. I have done this by setting an example of a harmonious and civil lifestyle to my community, educating them by teaching people about the importance and practicality of mind body and spirit. And by nurturing the minds of women with food for thought that alters their focus and attention from things of this world to nurturing, caring and giving back to Namibia as Mothers of this nation should. If I am crowned Miss Namibia 2016, I shall use this platform to expose the beauty that lies within Namibian people, our land and most importantly our culture and history.
Varaakuani Hambira (20) (Gobabis)
I deserve to be Miss Namibia because I am intelligent, strong and caring. I am also a good role model and I have the diplomatic skills to represent Namibia which I believe are all qualities a Miss Namibia should possess. If I am crowned I would take on neglected projects. I would also use the social media and other media outlets not only to draw attention to my causes but also to showcase Namibia
Nicole Scott (22) (Windhoek)
I am humble enough to know that I am not better than anyone but I am wise enough to know that I am different from the rest. A national platform such as Miss Namibia, is an incredible opportunity to achieve many great things. I would like to use this role to widen the reach of the projects that I’m passionate about and inspire young Namibian women to keep going for their dreams. I would like to build on the efforts of the previous winners, to use what they’ve done so far to further push for things we as young women want to see in the world and in Namibia.
Lizelle Esterhuizen (20) (Windhoek)
I think I deserve to be Miss Namibia 2016 because I am a good role model for Namibian girls. I also have a positive and inspiring attitude towards life. As Miss Namibia I would love and care for my country and its people as a goodwill ambassador. As Miss Namibia 2016 I want to serve the elderly of our country. I want to be part of the community and someone people can relate to.
Lorna Mabuku (23) (Katima Mulilo)
A few years ago, I would not have been able to enter Miss Namibia due to my previous lack of confidence. Well here I am today. What does this say about me? I am ready. I do not only posses beauty, poise and confidence, I also have a powerful mind, a genuine heart, a capable voice and I am extremely unique. I have a passion for Namibia. Therefore I would be a worthy ambassador to represent us in the world. Miss Namibia is about progress. I will simply carry on the legacy which the previous queens have left for me. As the next prospective winner, I will gladly pick up from where they left off with my focus being on education, especially of young women and children.
Danielle Farrel (23) (Rosh Pinah)
I deserve to be Miss Namibia 2016 because I will prove that beauty is not only a pretty face. I will devote myself to Namibia, especially to our young children, because they are our leaders of tomorrow – they are our future. I will show my fellow Namibians that it’s also about being humble, having a good heart and a beautiful soul. I want to be remembered as someone that made a huge difference in the lives of children by educating them to be successful leaders of tomorrow.