This was announced on Monday during a sponsors”; event in Windhoek.
McLean said she is honoured to be the patron for something she has passion for.
She said Namibia needs the Miss Namibia platform to “get our messages out”.
“Thirty years ago, through the same platform, I was able to establish the Michelle McLean Children”;s Trust. This is one of the most wonderful opportunities of my life.
“I have always been grateful to Namibia. There is nothing I cannot say about Namibia and its people without it being positive,” McLean said.
She said taking part in pageants offers many opportunities.
“You get the platform to have a voice. Every Namibian has a voice, and that is why I am so proud to be a global ambassador.
“To make Namibia proud is not just for celebrities. Each and every person can have that voice in their community,” she said.
McLean said she is looking forward to work with this year”;s contestants.
“This year I will have the opportunity to coach the contestants. They are all beautiful and love Namibia. I am so grateful to be associated with each one who is part of the Miss Namibia organisation,” she said.
Stanley Similo, the director general of Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), said McLean is the official patron because she has made Namibia proud and is a great global icon.
He said the NBC is supporting the Miss Namibia and Miss Teen Namibia pageants because they provide great platforms to tell the Namibian story.
“Normally pageants are linked to beauty, and it ends there. What we do with pageants is help girls become better individuals tomorrow.
“In a male-dominated environment where everything is geared towards making sure men get everything, this is one of those platforms where we are saying: Come walk the journey with us.
“The platform also teaches boys to appreciate women,” Similo said.
