Windhoek
The Miss Namibia Beauty pageant held recently left many disappointed and sceptical since the swimsuit round was left out of the competition this year.
Andre Beukes, one of those who attended the crowning of Miss Namibia says the event has lost its credibility. “I feel they should have kept the swimsuit category because we all know the pageant is not determined by this category but it’s just not the same anymore. This category helps judges with seeing if the contestants have the perfect body to be able to compete internationally,” says Beukes. Even though some might think the swimsuit should be part of the pageant, others do not think the category is essential. Sophie-lee Anderson says she’s glad the swimsuit round is out because there is more to this pageant than physical beauty and this is misunderstood by many. “I don’t think just because the category is omitted from the pageant will make any difference, besides that’s not what the judges look at anyway. As we all know the pageants are not determined by the different clothes or categories but by other means, so let’s not make a big deal out of this,” says Anderson.
Last year the owner of the Miss World pageant announced that there will be no swimsuit round in this year’s competition and the Miss Namibia pageant organisers seemed to have followed suit. The pageant’s National Director, Conny Maritz, explains the purpose of the pageant stating that the public should be aware of the much deeper and more significant purposes of the Miss Namibia beauty pageant, which is emphasising intelligence and character over physical appearance. She adds that the pageant aims to utilise the winner’s beauty for charitable purposes; to promote deserving social causes; to serve as an example of purposeful living by the youth and to act as an ambassador of goodwill, endeavour to bring honour to our People and Country.
“My team and I did the best we could with the resources we had. Armchair critics may well say that they would have directed the crowing event differently or selected another finalist as Miss Namibia 2015. I respect that. The fact that we may ‘behold’ beauty differently and have diverging views, sometimes about the same matter, evidences the diversity of us as human beings,” says Maritz, adding that the procedures being followed to select Miss Namibia are fair and transparent and have also been certified by a reputable firm of auditors.
And it’s clear to see why this year’s winner, Steffi van Wyk, best represents what the competition stands for. Van Wyk said before her crowning that she deserved the crown because she represented the country on several occasions in different sporting codes and winning the title would be the greatest privilege to be an ambassador for Namibia in health, beauty and culture as well. The 23-year-old from Otjiwarongo who holds an honours degree in Sport Science, says her goal is to present world class athletes who can compete and put Namibia on the map in the sporting industry and to open international doors. “It would be a privilege to establish a ‘kiddies program’ to get children involved in sports on a weekly basis. This would allow them to stay healthy, build character and keep them off the streets,” she says.
Van Wyk peeped other 12 contestants to emerge the winner of the Miss Namibia beauty pageant, leaving Lyrischiah Immanuelle first princess and Unongo Kutako as second princess. Van Wyk who couldn’t contain her excitement was crowned by the Miss Namibia 2014 winner, Brumhilda Ochs, during a well-attended ceremony at the Windhoek Country Club Resort and Casino. She will be representing Namibia at the Miss Universe pageant on December 19 at the Beauty Crown Grand Theatre in Sanya, China. Different artists including Xclusive Dance Crew, Blossom, Lize Ehlers and Star Dust entertained the guests