Miss Namibia Cassia Sharpley says she will continue to fly the Namibian flag high until her reign ends, adding that her duties are not done yet, and she is ready to execute all she has set out to do since taking over the crown.
The 23-year-old represented Namibia at Miss Universe 2022 on 14 January 2023, competing against 83 other contestants in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States.
“I have set the bar high by the mere essence of being a true Namibian. For that, I know I represented Namibia well, and I will continue to keep her flag high until the end of my reign,” she told VIBEZ!
She added: “The biggest lesson I learnt through this whole journey was that money cannot buy memories, nor can it buy experience. Going into the Miss Universe competition, I felt prepared. I felt ready; however, I was content in knowing that as much as I have a great chance at placing, so does every other country”.
Sharpley said she went there being the best Namibian she could be to showcase her nation in the best way possible.
“The competition did not feel like work; it felt like the kind of pressure I am used to. For this reason, what I brought home with me is the fact that everyone I encountered, from the backstage workers to the judges, I know I left a mark and I left them impacted,” she concluded.
Sharpley left the competition in its early stages.
She was crowned Miss Namibia 2022 in August last year.
Apart from her official duties, she works as a basic life support paramedic, and she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in emergency medical care at the Namibia University of Science and Technology in Windhoek.
The beauty attended Eagles Christian Academy in Windhoek and started playing the piano as a little girl.
As a teenager, she played football, hockey and netball.
In 2014, she was scouted for modelling in Los Angeles, California, United States – and two years later, she took part in the championships for the performing arts in South Africa, where she won eight gold medals and one silver medal.
In June 2018, she represented Namibia at Miss Teen Continents 2018 at South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, and competed against eight other candidates.
She was unplaced, but she won the Best in Interview award.
She founded the Honey Comb Haven Foundation in June 2022 to help the less fortunate members of her community in Windhoek. The official launch is set for 18 February this year.
The foundation feeds and clothes hundreds of children in the informal settlements.
“All proceeds go towards that work, and the aim is to grow the foundation as a vehicle for poverty alleviation, including providing school bursaries for deserving learners from these informal areas,” she was quoted as saying.
Sharpley is also a motivational speaker. Just recently, she sent this message out to Namibians: “You need to stop doing what you do and expect people to notice. You aren’t doing it for them anyway, meaning their opinion adds nothing and takes away nothing. Every single day, it’s you against yourself. Own that”.
- psiririka@nepc.com.na