Mirjam Off To Miss World Next Top Model

International fashion and pageant model, brand ambassador, influencer and We are One Foundation founder Mirjam Sheehama will add another milestone to her pageant career when she participates in Miss World Next Top Model.

The pageant takes place at Casino Du Liban Theatre in Beirut, Lebanon, on 28 May.

Miss World Next Top Model is one of the biggest international modelling pageants, and aims to create national and international visibility for all the finalists, creating real job opportunities for all in the world of fashion, cinema and television. It also promotes the unique cultural heritage of each participating country.

Bornat the village Onekwaya in the Ohangwena region, Sheehama started modelling while she was in primary school.

She joined Maria Nepembe’s agency where she gained modelling skills. In 2020, she was scouted by a Zimbabwean during Windhoek Fashion Week and for the first time she participated in an international pageant when she represented Namibia in Miss Globe in Albania.

So far, Sheehama has graced international pageants in various countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Ghana.

“I’ve a manager and national director, Embrace Afrika, who works hard to get me to the international stages. The fact that I’m the only black female in the competition makes it even more exciting. I hope to move forward into other positions in the modelling industry,” she says.

Sheehama sees this as an opportunity to raise the Namibian flag and showcase her rich cultural heritage. “Since I was a little girl, I dreamt of modelling. I’m always taking good care of my looks, body and lifestyle. For me, modelling is a way of earning a living while doing something I love. Participating in international pageants gives you the privilege to meet and interact with people of diverse cultures, backgrounds and religions. This fosters unity and cultural awareness while building self-confidence, self-development and personal growth,” she says.

She says if she brings the crown home, during her year she would focus on uplifting downtrodden children in our society.

“I will use the platform provided by the crown to create more awareness to the plight of vulnerable children and raise more funding to better their condition. I will work through the We Are One Foundation that I established a few years ago,” she says.

Every month, We Are One donates food and clothes to charity, seeks for donations and help the less fortunate get access to a proper meal and proper clothing without financial burden.