SWAKOPMUND - The stunning Jameela Uiras from the Erongo region has won the coveted Miss Namibia 2023 crown.
The glamorous event took place on Saturday evening at the MTC Dome in Swakopmund, marking the first time ever that the crowning ceremony was held outside the capital city.
Uiras, with her jaw-dropping beauty, also claimed the Miss Photogenic title, much to the delight of the attendees at the glitzy coronation. She succeeds Cassia Sharpley, Miss Namibia 2022, who handed over the crown with the poise and grace Namibians came to know her for.
Albertina Haimbala emerged as the first runner-up, while Martha Kautanevali secured the second runner-up position and also won the public choice title. They will represent Nambia at the Miss World and Miss Earth pageants, respectively.
The other Top 5 finalists were Ausha Abrahams and Shasmida Eiases.
Lency Kuhanga was crowned Miss Congeniality
The 10 finalists were dressed in designs by local fashion designers, from the bespoke suits they wore in the hip hop dance category and sultry dresses for the salsa routine, to the swimsuits, cocktail dresses and glamorous evening gowns.
Asked as one of the top five how failure has helped her personally in her achievements, Uiras said: “I personally have a superpower, which is the ability to overcome anything. So, standing here today, I want to encourage everyone to believe in themselves. Failure is not the end of it. Bring yourself up and try again. As a beacon of hope, I want to encourage everyone to believe in themselves.”
The 23-year-old marketing assistant and fashion model is also an advocate for youth empowerment.
A regular runway model at the annual MTC Fashion Week, Uiras will represent Namibia at the 72nd Miss Universe in El Salvador later this year.
The ladies were evaluated by a panel of judges consisting media personality Gerine Hoff, Dr Esperance Luvindao, public relations guru Ilke Platt, fashion designer Deon Mathias and NBC spokesperson Beaulah Boois-Beukes.
Charene Labuschagne and David Mbeha served as the presenters for the event.
In another exciting development over the weekend, 18-year-old Oriana Ribeiro was crowned Miss Teen 2023, taking over from Zoe Karsten. Ribeiro advocates for a change of mindset, firmly believing that one’s quality of life is not dictated by circumstances, but rather by one’s perspective on life.
Innocentia Mukubi secured the first runner-up position and also won the Miss Congeniality title, while Timica Goeieman was the second runner-up.
Stanley Similo, the director general of the NBC, announced that the competition will be extended to all 14 regions, instead of being exclusively hosted in Windhoek.
“We have already received keen interest from other regions who want to host the pageant and are definitely planning to do so”, Similo said. - edeklerk@nepc.com.na
- Photos: Alvin Rautenbach