Selma’s Second Act

Kamanya takes another shot at Miss World, placing among Africa’s finest

Namibia’s Selma Kamanya has taken the country to the Miss World continental finals, making it the most notable performance since the early 1990s

Kamanya’s standout moment included winning the highly competitive top model challenge, a category considered one of the toughest at Miss World.

This has once again etched her name into Namibian pageant history, this time on an international stage.

The former Miss Namibia returned home on Monday following her top-two African finalist placement at the Miss World 2025 pageant, held in Hyderabad, India.

Now back on home soil, Kamanya says her journey this time around was rooted in faith and redemption.

“I encapsulate this entire journey as a God thing,” she told The Weekender this week. “I was speaking to God throughout the competition. Even before the final night, I said: ‘Lord, if You only brought me this far, I will be grateful.’ Because honestly, I feel like I was running on His grace.”

A SECOND SHOT

Kamanya, who first held the Miss Namibia title in 2018, said returning to pageantry was not a simple decision.

“There was hesitation. I didn’t think I was proficient enough to do it sometimes. And I thought, ‘What will the people say?’ But I had to affirm myself in my calling and purpose. You can’t wait for others to validate your worth, you have to believe it for yourself.”

Despite having just three weeks to prepare, Kamanya credited a local pageant trainer for helping her sharpen her walk and presence in time for the Miss World finals.

“If I didn’t have those two weeks of training before I left, I don’t know how well I would have done. He took on the challenge of preparing someone on short notice, and I’m very grateful for that.”

Her previous experience, walking in fashion shows and appearing at public events, helped. But the top model title came as a surprise.

“I really didn’t expect to win. When I did, I could only give all the credit to God. He empowered me in every moment.”

PAGEANTRY WITH PURPOSE

While the gowns and glamour may have caught the public eye, Kamanya says her focus remained rooted in her long-term advocacy.

She founded the InnoNation Foundation during her 2018 reign, initially focusing on mental health advocacy. In 2020, the foundation expanded to address sustainable food access.

“When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, I was already doing soup kitchens and working with orphanages. But donor funding dried up, and the community centres that fed hundreds of children weekly were hit hard. That’s when I launched the urban farming units.”

The initiative, which helps install backyard gardens at community facilities, aims to provide food security and financial empowerment.

“It’s not just about feeding people today. The long-term goal is to make communities self-sustaining. We also hope they can eventually sell to their local markets.”

Kamanya is currently working on a children’s book on agriculture that will teach children, starting from age six, how to grow and care for crops.

“We’re also developing manuals for caretakers so they can maintain the gardens we implement,” she says.

GRATITUDE FOR THE JOURNEY

Kamanya was one of only two African finalists to make it to the final stages of Miss World this year. She says her respect for Miss Ethiopia, who was crowned Miss World Africa, remains immense.

“She is such a worthy contender and has a powerful story. I have a lot of reverence and respect for her.”

Her experience at Miss World was made more meaningful by the support she received from fellow Namibians, she says.

“I felt the spirit of Namibia with me. The messages, the comments, the encouragement, it all meant so much. You can’t put a price tag on that.”

INDUSTRY IMPACT

Upon her arrival at Hosea Kutako International Airport, Kamanya told local media she hoped her performance would open doors for the pageant industry in Namibia.

“I am immensely grateful for the experience. Hopefully I get to advance the industry here with what I’ve learnt about pageantry in India,” she remarked.

Her father, Kiriat Kamanya, was among those at the airport.

“My daughter made us proud. Thank you to all those who supported her on her journey,” he said.

Miss Namibia Organisation chief executive Umbiroo Karuaihe-Upi congratulated Kamanya on her achievement.

“I wholeheartedly congratulate her for making it to the top two in Africa and winning Miss World Top Model. It is an incredible achievement for her and for Namibia,” Karuaihe-Upi said.

WHATS NEXT?

With pageant duties wrapped up, Kamanya says she’s open to whatever the future may hold, but she’s keeping her focus on advocacy and national development.

“I think when we make plans, God sometimes has other ones. But if opportunities come, whether in modelling, advocacy or international work, I will walk through those doors,” she says.

She also plans to reinvest what she has learnt internationally back into Namibia.

“Everything I learnt in Telangana, India, I want to bring back to my country.”

Adding to Namibia’s growing recognition within the global pageant space, Miss World chairperson Julia Morley has officially confirmed her intention to visit Namibia before the end of the year.

The announcement was made during a private reception following the crowning ceremony of Miss World Namibia.

“Start preparing for my visit to Namibia,” she told the organising team, moved by the country’s humanitarian projects.

Her visit will include a charity outreach effort, further elevating Namibia’s profile within the Miss World ‘Beauty With a Purpose’ programme.

In honour of her visit, Morley was presented with a traditional Oshiwambo dress and matching accessories.

LEAVING A LEGACY

For Kamanya, who has now represented Namibia twice on the global stage, this second chapter of her pageant journey feels like a full-circle moment, one marked by courage, purpose and the power of self-belief.

“I would hope this inspires other Namibian girls to reach for the stars. Don’t second-guess yourself when God opens a door. Walk through it with both hands and all your heart.”

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