‘Nujoma saw pageantry as nation-building tool’

Founding president Sam Nujoma recognised pageantry as a powerful platform for national pride, empowerment and economic growth, industry experts say.

Miss Universe 1992 Michelle McLean recalls his support when Namibia hosted the Miss Universe pageant in 1995 – a historic moment for the country.

“When we brought the Miss Universe pageant to Namibia in 1995 as the host country, we were able to raise tourism interest and investment in Namibia.

“That hugely boosted the economy. Nujoma backed me in initiating and coordinating the Miss Universe pageant in 1995 to benefit Namibia by marketing our country internationally, so soon after independence,” she says.

McLean says Nujoma became the patron of her Children’s Trust in 1992 after she won the Miss Universe title.

For 34 years, she worked alongside the founding president on projects supporting education and underserved communities in Namibia, she says.

“He never saw my title in pageantry as just an insignificant beauty achievement; he encouraged me to become a global ambassador for Namibia over three decades.

“Through his mentorship and support, I was able to raise millions of Namibia dollars for community support and education, initiating thousands of projects throughout Namibia that have hugely impacted economic development and upliftment of communities throughout the country,” she says.

McLean says Nujoma guided her as a global consultant in investment and tourism, encouraging her to use her titles to promote Namibia’s beauty, political stability and economic potential worldwide.

Like McLean, Miss Namibia Organisation chief executive Umbi Karuaihe-Upi says a standout moment in the pageant industry was hosting Miss Universe 1995 in Windhoek during Nujoma’s presidency.

“I am so proud of this, because until today, Namibia is the only country in Africa that succeeded to host the Miss Universe pageant.

“So, former president Nujoma created an environment that was and still is conducive to pageantry. He supported it through his involvement in children, youth and women activities,” she says.

Karuaihe-Upi says Nujoma recognised the importance of supporting pageants as a platform for grooming Namibia’s future leaders.

Mister Supranational Namibia 2025 finalist William Mensah describes Nujoma as a leader with a deep love of Namibia’s culture.

He says Nujoma understood the power of representation, not just in politics and business, but also in the arts, culture and pageantry.

“He saw the potential of events like Miss Universe in promoting tourism, economic growth and national pride.

“That moment remains one of the highlights of Namibia’s history. I will always remember him as the leader who did not just fight for our independence, but laid the groundwork for Namibia’s future,” Mensah says.

Miss World Namibia 2023 Leoné van Jaarsveld says Nujoma valued pageantry for its role in empowering young people and showcasing their potential.

She says he saw beyond the glamour, recognising pageants as platforms for leadership, education, and representing Namibia on the global stage.

“Nujoma’s support for pageants reflected his broader vision of a confident and globally recognised Namibia. By supporting local pageants, we are not only empowering our people, but also enhancing the visibility of Namibia on the global stage, attracting tourism and creating economic opportunities.”

Investing in pageantry is investing in empowerment and national pride, Van Jaarsveld says.

“His legacy will live on through the values he instilled in us as a nation. His contributions to the country’s progress and the inspiration he provided to generations, including young women like myself, will always be cherished.”