By Pinehas Nakaziko
WINDHOEK-From a humble beginning, Maiyah’s Saiyah Salatiel’s background had played a major role in her modeling career, especially when she used to catwalk occasionally.
Maiyah (21) always regards herself as a shining star in the modelling industry ever since she started modelling in 2006, while enrolling at Iipumbu Senior Secondary School. Her first crown was Miss Valentine in 2006 at Iipumbu. “That was the time I recognised my dormant talent and I started to pay full attention to modelling, concentrating more on beauty pageants and involved in lots of fashion shows,” says she.
Currently she has more than five titles to her name such as Miss Enhana 2013, Miss Kapuka 2013, Miss Ondobe 2013, Miss Oshikoto 2013 and Miss Okalongo 2013, to mention few. With all the titles, Maiyah decided to share her experience with admirers and fellow youths when she formed her own Maiyalicious Modelling Academy (MMA) last November. The Academy consists of ten girls pursuing their careers in modelling. She hopes to provide lots of international models in future. “I also owned Faith & Hope Foundation that takes care of vulnerable children. I was given this foundation last year when I won Miss Enhana, and currently it helping 21 children,” explains Maiyah.
She recently opened her mini market at their village Oshuungu in the Oshana region that sells different basic products to the villagers. She says she is planning to take part in Miss Namibia this year. “I am also working on international beauty pageants that I applied to partake while equipping models in my foundations,” she says.