Miss Namibia 101- Making Your Application Memorable

As a young woman, I grew up watching the Miss Namibia pageant and marvelled at the grace and beauty of winners like Michelle McLean-Bailey, Barbara Khatjipara and Sheya Michaelides (Shipanga).

It was thus an honour to be selected as a preliminary judge for the 2013 Miss Namibia pageant. However, it became immediately obvious that even though most of the entrants had big dreams of taking the crown, they had no idea what it took to qualify through the first stages. Most ladies, even if they had potential, had totally messed up applications and those who didn’t did a worse job during the interviews.

According former Miss Namibia Tsakana Nkandih, the first and most important thing to do before entering is to be genuine in your reasons for entering. “Most people enter because they want to become popular and gain a little fortune, but more often than not it is the girls who are truly humble and kind with good intentions at heart that make it. For some reason, the real you eventually shows on the surface,” she says. Nkandih advises aspiring entrants to prepare before time.

“If you do decide to enter, start preparing for the pageant even before you have been chosen as a finalist. Work out, eat right and set your mind for victory by imagining yourself wearing the crown,” she says.

Check out some of important areas to pay attention to if you plan to enter Miss Namibia this year…

Pay attention to detail. Make sure you meet all the requirements, be neat and honest. Don’t decorate your application, it’s not a kindergarten project. Never lie. Saying you are taller than you are will get you nowhere as the judges will eventually find out.

You want a picture that will immediately capture the judges, attention. Invest in a decent photographer who has a basic understanding of what pageant pictures should look like. Also note, no nude pictures are allowed as this is a prestigious competition. “Ensure that your pictures are classy and elegant with a touch of sexy and mystery. Also invest in a make-up artist on the day you decide to have your photo shoot, your face must capture the attention of the judges at first glance,” advises Tsakana.

Pageant director, Conny Maritz adds: “The entry form picture is the most important consideration in the first round of selection when the judges choose who they will invite to the round of interview-selection. The entrant should be well groomed, have good make-up and a fashionable hairstyle. It is not only the quality of the photograph that should be good, but the whole composition must be stylish, modern and sophisticated.”

“ For all modern, young and sophisticated ladies, grooming, style and poise are absolutely vital! Beauty and fashion should be a part of her way of life,” says Maritz.

This is where your personality comes into play. “Character, confidence, intellect, charm, style, poise, presentation, communicative skills and, perhaps most importantly, an enthusiastic commitment to serve the charitable purposes of the organisation,” says Maritz, are some of the traits that should shine through in your interview. You will also be required to pose in your bikini so get rid of all ratchet piercings and if you have tattoos that will be hard to cover up with some make-up, don’t even bother to show up. Read up on current events, although the judges are not looking for an Einstein, you do need to be knowledgable on topics of interest, especially if they are related to your work or what you have studied. For example, if you are studying finance, you should know who the current Minister of Finance is. If you work in tourism, know some of the issues facing Namibia in that field at the moment.