Your Miss Namibia 2016 finalists

The search for the most beautiful Namibian woman is on once again, with 12 finalists recently selected to take up the challenge of being the fairest and finest in all the land. These 12 hopefuls will vie for the Miss Namibia crown which will be relinquished by last year’s winner, Steffi van Wyk, on Saturday, 9 July. Meet your 12 finalists…

Michelle is a 22-year-old beauty who stands 1,79m tall. She hails from Swakopmund and is a beautician by profession. She loves photography and the beauty of the outdoor experience. She has a passion for helping people with disabilities, especially cerebral palsy, which she would like to pursue in depth by using the title of Miss Namibia.

Twenty-year-old Leanne is 1,79m tall and hails from Rehoboth. She’s a management and taxation student at the University of Namibia. Leanne loves to spend time with her family and enjoys reading. Being an animal lover, her heart goes out to the welfare of animals. She regularly volunteers at the SPCA. Leanne also volunteers regularly at St Mary’s Old Age Home in Rehoboth.

This 20-year-old stands an incredible 1,85m tall and is from the capital city, Windhoek. A second-year education student, Lizelle loves being active and enjoys sport. It is important to her to spend time with her family and being an all-rounder, she loves the modelling scene. She wishes to support the Meals on Wheels programme which supplies food to the elderly on a bi-weekly basis.

Danielle is 23 years old and is 1,74m tall. She hails from the southern town of Rosh Pinah. A fourth-year Unisa bachelor of education student, with a focus on early childhood development, Danielle loves hiking and experiencing nature. She loves camping and appreciating the beautiful Namibian landscape and also enjoys cooking. As an education student, she has a passion for the wellbeing of underprivileged children.

This 20-year-old who hails from Gobabis is 1,71m tall. She’s currently studying towards a bachelors of arts degree, majoring in psychology at Unam. Affectionately called Varaa by most who know her, this rugby enthusiast is a big supporter of the local Welwitschia team. She has also completed a level one referee course.

Varaa has a passion for working with people with mental disabilities, as she is of the opinion that not enough attention and support is given to them.

Twenty-year-old Cadeescha is 1,70m tall, hails from Windhoek and loves music. She enjoys singing and is part of the church choir, taking part in several out-reach programmes with the church. She also loves sport and the adrenalin rush that it brings. She is an avid abseiler. Wary of the effects pollution has on the changing weather globally, Cadeesha wants to promote the ‘non-motorised transport’ concept to reduce these effects.

Malia comes all the way from Oranjemund. She is 23 years old and stands 1.72m tall. Maila is studying towards a qualification in aviation and wants to be an entrepreneur. Being an artistic person, Maila enjoys sketching and playing the clarinet, having received her grade five level and playing in the Wynberg Orchestra. She wishes to continue being involved in Orange Day, a campaign initiated by the United Nations to create awareness and combat gender-based violence.

Twenty-three-year-old Lorna is 1,76m tall and hails from Katima Mulilo. She completed a bachelors of arts degree, majoring in psychology and sociology, at the University of Namibia. She enjoys dancing for the freedom it gives and she is inspired by the beauty of nature and fashion. Lorna aspires to be a human rights activist as well as a philanthropist.

At 23, Francisca is studying travel and tourism at Lingua College. She is 1,75m tall and hails from the Ohangwena Region. She enjoys travelling and meeting different people from all walks of life.

Due to the neglect of the elderly in our society, Francisca wants to assist the Thabita Old Age Home in Katutura.

Jessica is 23 years old and 1,71m tall. She’s from the northern town of Oshakati and is studying towards a bachelors of arts qualification, majoring in psychology at the University of Namibia. She loves the tranquillity of staying at home and enjoys cooking and entertaining friends. Jessica was involved in the establishment of the Oshakati Annual Charity Drive which is an organisation that assists orphans and vulnerable children. Her passion is to continue working towards the benefit of this worthy organisation.

Twenty-two-year-old Nicole hails from Windhoek and stands 1,68m tall. She is a graduate of the International Hotel School in Culinary Arts in Cape Town. Her dream is to use her title to establish a shelter for women through which she would like to unlock the potential of young oppressed women in Namibia.

Andeline Wieland