SEVENTEEN-year-old Nasheeta Maletzky of Otjiwarongo Secondary School bagged the Miss High School Namibia 2020title at a virtual event held last month.
The pageant was organised by Namibia Media Holdings, under its youth banner My Zone. The theme of the event was
‘Beauty with a Purpose’.
Schools such as Otjiwarongo Secondary, Jan Möhr, Windhoek High and Centaurus were represented. Contestants
competed in evening gowns, runway interviews and casual wear, all from the safety of their own homes and Maletzky, a
Grade 11 pupil, is thrilled to be the pageant’s first virtual winner.
“Being the very first virtual winner definitely makes me feel like a game-changer and makes it even more special,”
she says.
Born at Otjiwarongo, Maletzky grew up in a blended family that consisted of her grandparents, mother, aunts, siblings and
cousins.
“I am one of eight grandchildren, the oldest and only girl. My hobby is playing netball.”
The young beauty says she entered the contest because she has always been passionate about helping others and by
winning she now has a wider platform to do so.
“As a child, I would help others by sharing my food. When I saw friends arguing I would always intervene and try to solve
their issue. Growing up I also made time to help other pupils with their homework.”
Maletzky’s passion for the beauty industry started early and she particularly enjoyed walking the mock runway wearing
her mother’s high heels.
As the winner, Maletzky will do charity work through her project ‘Action Against Poverty’.
“I will be providing meals to members of my community. The current slump in our economy is taking a toll on the poor,
leaving many unemployed and unable to provide the basic needs for themselves and their families.
“My project is based on the Harambee Prosperity Plan implemented by president Hage Geingob and one of the
Millennium Development Goals set by the United Nations, which calls for the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger,”
she said.
Maletzky noted that pageants often receive criticism but she believes they have less to do with mere physical beauty and
more about what you can offer your community.
She urged other teenagers to give pageants a try because it can play a huge role in helping them reach their highest
While her journey has been exciting, it has also been scary at the same time, she says.
“Due to the pandemic, it all seemed impossible. We got tasks (videos) to do which we were judged on. Being able to make
these videos on our own made it easier for us to express ourselves. They showed who we are as individuals and how
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