As Namibia continues to mourn the loss of its first president and Founding Father Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma, Miss Universe 1992 Michelle McLean has opened up about her long-standing partnership with the late leader, sharing heartfelt memories of their work over the years.
McLean, who became Namibia’s global ambassador when she won that crown, went on to dedicate her life to improving the lives of children in the country through her Michelle McLean Children’s Trust. Since its inception in 1992, McLean’s Trust has been instrumental in promoting education and suppor ting underserved communities across Namibia.
Her connection with President Nujoma began in the same year when he agreed to become the patron of the Michelle McLean Children’s Trust. McLean described their relationship as one based on shared values of unity, progress and the betterment of Namibian society.
For over three decades, McLean and Nujoma worked hand-in-hand on various initiatives aimed at improving the lives of Namibia’s youth.
“I am heartbroken about the passing of our dearest Founding Father of Namibia, the Land of the Brave, His Excellency President Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma. Brave and courageous, he always was,” she said.
One of the programmes of the Michelle McLean Children’s Trust which is close to her heart was the Cool Project.
They travelled to the northern parts of Namibia to deliver rough terrain bicycles to children in remote areas to school.
“The project was enabled through a very generous donation from Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt when they had their baby Shiloh in Namibia in 2005. Dr Sam also opened the Michelle McLean Primary School at Otjomuise in Windhoek in 2000 with the help of the Ministry of Education, which supports over 1300 learners every year,” she noted.
“The founding father believed in the arts industry, local music and our indigenous, diverse cultures in Namibia, embracing all, and especially the power of film and events to market our country to the world. From my experience, he acknowledged that the world of pageantry, Miss Namibia and Miss Universe, was a powerful marketing tool for Namibia, supporting young and empowered women as global ambassadors”.
Nujoma was instrumental in guiding her as a global consultant in investment and tourism for Namibia. When they brought the Miss Universe pageant to Namibia in 1995 as host country, they were able to raise tourism interest and investment in Namibia, which hugely boosted the economy. He backed her in initiating and coordinating the Miss Universe pageant in 1995 to benefit Namibia by marketing the country internationally so soon after independence. This also boosted the global acknowledgement of the good work of the Michelle McLean Children’s Trust.
“I will remember him as a kind, considerate, compassionate mentor, and a true father to our nation. His wish was for our future leaders to be empowered in every way, and I was able to share this journey with him through the Michelle McLean Children’s Trust as our patron,” shared McLean.
She described Nujoma as a visionary leader and steadfast champ ion of Nami bi a’s independence, which will forever be entrenched in the hearts of all Namibians, Africa, and the world at large.
His exemplary leadership and tireless efforts in shaping the nation and his remarkable dedication to justice and freedom are an inspiration to all, she continued.
“I convey my sincere condolences to the Founding First Lady of the Republic of Namibia, Her Excellency Kovambo Nujoma, Honorable Utoni Nujoma, the children, as well as the entire Nujoma and Kondombolo families,” she noted.
-pmukokobi@nepc.com.na