Another pangolin costume?

Some members of the public have expressed their disappointment over Miss World Namibia 2023’s national costume.

Leoné van Jaarsveld will be showing off the outfit at the Miss World 2023 pageant.

This comes after the costume was recently revealed at Droombos Country Estate in Windhoek.

The 71st edition of the Miss World pageant will be held at the India International Convention and Expo Centre in New Delhi, India, on 16 December, where Karolina Bielawska of Poland will crown her successor.

Van Jaarsveld’s costume is inspired by the most endangered mammal, the pangolin.

The costume was designed by Petrus Laubscher from Amazing Designs.

The jewellery and leather are from Stergiadis Leather Productions and Jewellery Creations.

Some Namibians felt the costume is a copy of what Miss Earth Namibia 2022, Diana Andimba, wore to the Miss Earth 2022 pageant in Manila, Philippines.

Her dress was designed by Dawn Diergaardt and sketched by Bethany Kappa.

“Now really, this is very boring. We had pangolin before, why again? The previous costume has made an impression already.

“It is really necessary for us to go out there and showcase similar things, while Namibia has so much beauty and inspiring things? It is about time we think out of the box,” Elroy Hengua says on social media.

Some commentators say the Miss Namibian Organisation has run out ideas and lacks creativity.

“It is true that our country has many talented people, but it is a shame to see that it is not put to good use. If we team up, we can do better.

“I would urge the Miss Namibia Organisation to do marketing when looking for ideas to help better the brand. We have to come together to make Namibia better, because we can,” Lise Kemanya says.

Umbi Karuaihe-Upi, the chief executive of the Miss Namibia Organisation says Van Jaarsveld’s national costume is different from that of Miss Earth Namibia 2022, but the cause is the same.

She says there is no need to always start something new, when one can solidify and build on meaningful issues in the country.

“Both advocate for the protection and preservation of the endangered and most trafficked pangolin. We use the Miss Namibia Organisation platform to address issues that are relevant and can make a difference in the world.

“We are deliberate, systematic and intentional in our approach to create a better Namibia from where we are. I am very happy to see Namibians speaking up and interacting with the Miss Namibia Organisation on issues such as these,” she says.

Karuaihe-Upi says the organisation has decided to re-emphasise the importance of this issue.

“We did not want to do a once-off thing, but want to build on what the Miss Namibia Organisation has started. We have gone a level up by having the Namibian company Stergiadis on board as sponsor of the jewellery that will be worn by Leoné and will eventually be auctioned off.

“Some 50% of the proceeds will be donated to Save the Rhino Trust Namibia and other non-profit organisations. We have to be serious about the causes we are advocating for,” she says.

Laubscher says: “Finding all the textiles and finishes was quite a task. Variety in Namibia is not big. But we still wanted to make it as authenticly Namibian as possible.

“In the end we were able to source everything locally, and everyone was very keen to help – from advice on the gem stones to the specific shape of the pangolin scales.

“Photographer Jandré Germishuyzen came with his images, which we digitally transferred onto fabric. The rest was all based on how we saw it coming together.”