This year will for the first time see a Miss Namibia runner up winner represent the country at Miss World 2021 while reigning Miss Namibia Chelsi Shikongo will wave the national flag at the Miss Universe 2021 pageant instead. The Miss Namibia Organisation also announced that Miss Teen Namibia, Alexis Swart, will represent Namibia at the Miss Teen Universe 2021 Pageant in Dubai.
This year marking the 70th edition of both pageants, the Miss World 2021 will be held in Puerto Rico in December.
Miss Namibia organiser Connie Maritz on Monday announced that the second Princess Annerie Mare will represent Shikongo at the Miss World 2021 pageant.
“We are super excited that Chelsi will represent Namibia at Miss Universe this year, it is the first time that a runner up will represent Namibia the Miss World Pageant. This is the trend now, to save costs. Our delegates serve our country as goodwill ambassadors on the international stage to create global awareness of our beautiful land and its people,” said Maritz.
She added that the biggest challenges are the lack of sufficient funding and sponsorship and the enormity of the licence fee as well as the cost of international flights and en-route accommodation.
In the past the now defunct airliner Air Namibia was one of the main sponsors of the Miss Namibia contest.
Maritz said another challenge is the minimum prescribed wardrobe including the national costume and the evening gowns as excess luggage fees, visa fees and professional pageant training.
They also struggle with the coaching and photography amongst others.
She added that their time will be spent now on the pageant and voice training, public speaking coaching and several photoshoots.
They are also planning the delegates’ wardrobe and in the mean time Mare will busy with a charity project ahead of the Miss World pageant.
This charity program is part of the pageant’s “beauty with a purpose’ charity projects.
