Miss Namibia 2021, Chelsi Shikongo, will not be leaving the country as planned to participate in the upcoming Miss Universe 2021 pageant in Israel, Miss Namibia pageant co-director Umbi Karuaihe-Upi confirmed today.
Shikongo was due to leave the country on Sunday to participate in the well-known annual pageant, which will be held at the Israeli coastal resort Eilat on 12 December.
This comes after Israel banned all visitors from southern Africa due to the region recording its first case of the novel coronavirus variant called Omicron. Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett banned the entry of foreigners from seven African countries and travel to them, it was reported on Friday evening.
Israel joins all 27 European Union member states who agreed on Friday to temporarily ban travel from seven southern African countries.
“Unfortunately Chelsi was denied entry to Israel. This is very sad news for us as the Miss Namibia organisation and Namibia as a country,” Karuaihe-Upi said.
“This is mainly because she is from a red-listed country. Im devastated and feel disappointed that Chelsis dream to walk on this important international stage has been crushed for now,” Karuaihe-Upi remarked.
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