Miss Namibia 2021 Chelsi Shikongo will return home this week after proudly representing her homeland in the prestigious beauty pageant in Eilat, Israel from 10 December to the finale yesterday morning.
Although Chelsi did not make it to the Top 16, she still gave a good account of herself and held her own with great poise, grace and elegance among the 80 beauties who competed for the coveted crown and purse worth almost N$4 million (US$250 000) including several other perks.
Miss Harnaaz Sandhu was crowned the 70th holder of the crown, with Paraguay’s Nadia Ferreira first runner-up and Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane taking the second runner-up spot.
Chelsi, as she is affectionately known, said on her Facebook account yesterday that they were all deserving of winning but their own personal wins should also be validated.
“My goal was to make an impact;
my goal was to make sure I was having the best time of my life, because this journey of Miss Universe was manifested by my father 24 years ago and I managed to make that dream come true.” On not making it into the Top 16, she said there are still clients out there who would want to work with her.
She thanked Namibia for the endless love and support, saying: “I’m so excited to continue my reign as your goodwill ambassador to continue my life’s legacy and leave no stone unturned; definitely stay tuned!”
Chelsi vowed the crowd in her spectacular national costume that represented the pink salt lakes and flamingos off the Namibian coast, while also paying ode to her Aawambo heritage with a head/neck piece made of Odelela fabric in the shape of a weaved basket.
Her red flowy, chiffon cape with high neck evening gown resembled a similar dress worn by Chelsi Smith – her namesake – after winning the Miss Universe crown here 26 years ago, the same year the younger Chelsi was born.
Chelsi’s final gold beaded fringe evening gown resembled luxurious metals. It is an asymmetric, off-the-shoulder, dress with a plunging neckline and high-slit.
Soon after the announcement of the winner, the Miss Namibia organisation said on its social media pages they are proud of her no matter what.
“Chelsi Shikongo, you are a phenomenal queen for our Namibian people and have started a legacy that we can’t wait to see. We know you gave it your all and could not be prouder of how you have carried our flag.”
“We can’t wait to welcome you back home.” “Onwards and upwards!”
The unusual timing, with a winner crowned around 02h00 local time, enabled proceedings to be aired on late-night television in the US. The pageant was co-owned by Donald Trump before he became US president.
Chelsi competed despite several contestants defying pressure to boycott in support of the Palestinians.
After being postponed in 2020 over the Covid-19 pandemic, the ceremony faced an additional challenge in the form of the Omicron variant, which has gained notoriety in the weeks before the event. While most Miss Universe contestants were already in the country before new travel regulations came into effect, some were given special permission to enter Israel after a 72-hour quarantine period.
All contestants were required to get tested every 48 hours.
Well wishes
Meanwhile, well wishes continue to flood in for Chelsi, with Annah Talishy Kadhila-Amoomo saying Chelsi is going to be the example that anything is possible and that miracles are real.
synEDGY said: “I need for us to all go to the airport to welcome Chelsi back home; she truly did us proud and deserves the best homecoming ever. Even if I have to drive every one of you there”. Shortay said Chelsi had them all up at 02h00 rooting for her, adding she is definitely destined for greatness.
Habibi feels Chelsi was robbed, while Bertha Shigwedha said Namibians were faking support for Chelsi, adding: “Look at how they are going on when Chelsi won and said she didn’t deserve to win, and now when she went to Miss Universe, they all hyping for her. #hypocrites”.
Bite me Avril said Namibia continues her long 18 years drought of not placing, while Ndapewa-Oshali said Chelsi did amazing; the world noticed and that’s what matters more.
God’s favourite child said: My hope is that some modelling agency spotted Chelsi and they give her an opportunity that will change her life forever. I’m exceptionally hopeful of the fact”. Meme Weendjedi said people have started to mock Chelsi for not winning, and urged them to stop as their bad tweets about her can hurt her emotionally.
Scoot said: “Chelsi, Christine Mboma and Beatrice Masilingi really brought our country together this year; will forever be grateful to them”. Aloise Hango said: “‘Chelsi Shikongo Naamibiiaa!’” is a line that now lives rent free in my head”.
Olukanda said Chelsi gave the nation hope and something to look forward to, while Tandiya summarised the just-ended weekend as “awful and unpleasant”, saying it began with dreadful accidents, Lewis Hamilton’s defeat and then Chelsi not making Top 3.
Tjizugo Fasgion-guru Ngarangombe reminded Chelsi – daughter of the soil – that her dreams are still valid, while Gideon Oskar said she is better than Air Namibia, in reference to the airline being liquidated following years of poor financial performance.
Ndilimeke Nambala said it has been a while for her to be interested in a pageant, but Chelsi kept her hooked.
Magdalena Marsh told Chelsi to walk tall and keep on winning in life, while Shivute Kuukulunhu Kakona reminded MTC that Chelsi is also one of their daughters like Mboma and Masilingi.
Vezi Kaijere said Miss Universe has become rather predictable over the years; “there›s always a handful of the same countries that always make it to Top 16 – India, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Philippines, USA etc”.
Martha Norway said if boldness was a person, it would be Chelsi.
– Additional reporting Nampa/AFP