Aletta Shikololo
Chelsi Shikongo’s road to the Miss Universe crown has just begun and the beauty queen could not be more ecstatic for the journey. Shikongo, who is Miss Namibia 2021, is set to take part in the international pageant in Israel in December.
In a brief chat with VIBEZ!, Shikongo said it has been 29 years since the country won the crown, and she is ready to show the world Namibia still has what it takes to scoop the prestigious title.
“People should expect more content from Israel. I cannot wait to represent my country to the best of my abilities – and to just show the world that we still have it. It takes time to prepare for that role, so I think I am pretty much prepared for it,” she candidly said.
The 23-year-old international model and social activist said she is ready for the international stage.“I have been doing so many preparations. I am very humbled that there are a lot of people willing to assist me with the progression to Miss Universe, and I am very confident that I will represent my country well,” she added.
Shikongo has a story to tell, which she believes will make her stand out from the crowd. “The fact that I am the first from Walvis Bay to win the local crown, that I am the 40th Miss Namibia, and that I am doing it in the pandemic – that is a great story to tell,” she said.
Shikongo added that what makes this journey even more interesting is her career background in modelling, which could give her an upper hand because she sort of understands the business aspect of the pageantry world.
“It is not that different from modelling and I am also learning so much. The fact that I am going to represent my country and gain more skills is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me,” she noted.
Also speaking to VIBEZ!, director of the Miss Namibia pageant Connie Maritz said what makes Shikongo’s journey unique is the support she has received from the business community to represent the country without worry.
“We have got about three months left and we are working very hard; very busy with training, lots of photoshoots, voice training, and getting her properly groomed for the competition that lies ahead. The competition is very tough on international level, because all countries’ most beautiful girls participate – and I think, for Chelsi, this is going to be a wonderful experience due to the support of many Namibian companies,” said Maritz.
She added that without money, people competing at an international level are so stressed because they are worried about budget constraints.
Among the many companies that have pledged to make Shikongo’s road to the international crown smooth is MTC. The mobile telecommunications giant recently sponsored the beauty queen with an amount of N$100 000, an iPhone 12 Pro, and monthly airtime to the value of N$ 2 000 during her reign.
MTC executive Tim Ekandjo emphasised the importance of investing and supporting Namibian ambassadors. “As a truly Namibian brand, we believe in your (Chelsi) talent and that of any Namibian girl child. We say to you, go out there and represent the country without any worries. Just do your best and make history,” said Ekandjo.
He stressed that international participations are costly – and the weight cannot rest alone on the shoulders of the organisers.
“I call on like-minded corporates to come on board when our ambassadors most need the support – and the time is now. Let’s invest in our people now and not wait for when they do good.”
Ekandjo further highlighted the need to make the Miss Namibia crown life transforming, saying: “We want to see our Miss Namibia have their own car – and not just that which they drive for a year. We also want to see our Miss Namibia have their own home, so that years later, they are still able to look at a page in their life that transformed them. We, as MTC, are prepared to partner with like-minded corporates to make this vision possible.”
- ashikololo@nepc.com.na