Miss NGO to empower young women

The Miss Non-Govermental Organisation (NGO) Namibia pageant has announced important milestones after Quintina Tjizumaue was crowned the winner of the most recent pageant held in the capital.

Through charitable endeavours, the pageant aims to promote societal development and young women’s empowerment.

“Our newly crowned titleholder, Tjizumaue, is committed to being a leading advocate for NGOs and civil society organisations in Namibia,” says Miss NGO Namibia managing partner Andreas Tomek.

Endorsed by National Assembly speaker Peter Katjavivi, Tomek says Tjizumaue will launch a campaign to raise awareness about critical issues like sexual and reproductive health, teen pregnancy, and HIV-AIDS prevention.

“We are also excited to announce that Miss NGO Namibia has acquired the international franchise licence for Miss Africa Golden 2024, which reinforces our shared vision of empowerment and community engagement,” says Tomek.

He adds that both organisations are committed to uplifting young women, encouraging personal growth and promoting leadership development in Namibia and beyond.

Tomek says with the new licence, they will send the first runner-up of Miss NGO Namibia, Romancia Seibes, to represent Namibia at the Miss Africa Golden pageant in Nigeria on 24 November this year.

Seibes, who founded Neuro Bureau, an NGO devoted to establishing safe spaces for Namibia’s neurodivergent community, is a fervent supporter of active youth involvement in politics and is competing against more than 50 other nations.

“Being a part of Miss Africa Golden has been a humbling experience that I am grateful for, dedicated to, and honoured by. It represents a platform where culture, passion and advocacy come together,” Seibes says.

She says being among powerful women from across the continent feels empowering and fuels her desire to make a meaningful contribution to the world.

Seibes says participating as the organisation’s Namibian representative offers her a unique chance to share exceptional tales on a worldwide platform and to highlight the beauty, resilience and cultural diversity of the nation.

“The opportunity to connect, inspire and make a significant difference in many lives, as well as to expand my advocacy work around neurodiversity, youth empowerment, and cultural inclusivity, is what really motivates me,” she says.

Seibes says if she wins, she plans to use the title of Miss Africa Golden 2024 to further her mission of raising awareness about neurodiversity and advocating for inclusive spaces where everyone, regardless of neurological background, can thrive.

“I believe that with visibility comes responsibility, and this title would allow me to expand Neuro Bureau’s outreach efforts across Africa by fostering partnerships, hosting educational workshops and engaging in dialogues with relevant stakeholders to improve support systems for neurodivergent individuals.”

Seibes’ goal is to spark a continent-wide movement in which neurodiversity is not only accepted, but celebrated as an important component of society’s diversity.

As part of her project, Seibes has launched a neighbourhood mural project that supports her call for support and awareness of neurodiversity.

She has been closely collaborating with a number of stakeholders, including Dagbreek School for the Intellectually Disabled in Windhoek, local artist and muralist Selicia Mabakeng, and Emmanuel Enkara, executive director of the ENK Public Art Group.

The project began as a collaborative community effort to observe International Day of Sign Languages on 23 September, and to recognise sign language as an essential component of neurodiversity.

The mural was unveiled over the weekend, marking a watershed moment for the neurodivergent community and highlighting the significance of sign language in the collective vision of inclusivity.

“My future plans include expanding Neuro Bureau to support neurodivergent communities, advocating for transparency and youth participation in governance, and establishing myself as a role model to inspire and redefine standards of inclusivity and representation in the modeling and fashion industry.”

Seibes says she hopes to lead by example through her work, demonstrating that beauty and purpose can coexist powerfully, and that each step forward represents an opportunity to leave a significant imprint on society.

“I hope to broaden my public speaking engagements to reach larger audiences and inspire youth to value their uniqueness as a strength.”

Speaking 10 languages, Seibes uses her skills in interior design, architecture, and event management to promote inclusive discourse.

This year’s pageant demonstrates a dedication to sexual and reproductive health education through an evidence-based curriculum.

According to Miss Africa Golden organisers, their top 10 finalists have been trained by certified coaches who have access to Namibian government schools, allowing them to deliver critical educational programmes.

Miss NGO Namibia patron Hilde Shindodola says, “Miss NGO Namibia has become an iconic event in our country, gathering aspiring young women from all walks of life to showcase their beauty, intelligence and grace.”

She says the pageant is about more than just physical appearance; it is also about participants’ overall development, including self-esteem, communication skills and leadership qualities.

According to Tomek, they encourage all local NGOs to reach out and collaborate with the beauty queens on community projects.

“By leveraging their passion and dedication, we can collectively make a greater impact in our communities,” Tomek says.

To ensure the success of their initiatives, he says they seek sponsorships from local businesses to help cover essential expenses such as travel, lodging and pageant production costs.

“By collaborating with Miss NGO Namibia, your brand will be clearly visible at our events, showcasing your dedication to community development and reaching a large audience of prospective clients and admirers,” Tomek adds.