Haimbala to vie for Miss Earth crown
• Ready to represent Namibia
Namibia's Albertina Haimbala, who clinched the first runner-up title at Miss Namibia last year, is set to compete for the coveted Miss Earth crown on the global stage.
The Miss Namibia Organisation this week announced that the first runner-up at Miss Namibia 2023, Albertina Haimbala, will represent the country at the Miss Earth 2024 pageant, instead of at Miss World.
In a press release, Miss Namibia said the Miss World Organisation resolved at its annual national directors’ meeting in March that it will strictly enforce its standing rule that only the national winner can participate in the Miss World competition. The rule stipulates that the first runner-up can only participate if the national winner is unable to and/or incapacitated.
“Following the announcement, Miss Namibia had to adjust accordingly," CEO Umbi Karuaihe-Upi said. “There are rules and requirements that we have no control over, including the postponement of international beauty pageants. Hence, as licence franchise holders, we must abide by them. We have discussed this matter with Albertina, and she is ecstatic to represent Namibia at Miss Earth later this year.”
What does this mean for Miss Namibia?
The statement further noted that the impact on the Miss Namibia pageant is that only the national winner of the Miss Namibia 2024 will be sent to Miss Universe 2024, which will take place in Mexico in September. The first and second runner-ups will not represent Namibia on any international stage this year. Any further announcement will be made accordingly, should the need arise, it added.
“Our aim is to create a stepping stone for Namibian youth and women to excel in their respective fields of interest and to prepare outstanding leaders for our country. Additionally, Miss Namibia endeavours to honour our titleholders with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase their excellence.
“The pageants are expensive and take tremendous input from all stakeholders to achieve intended goals. Therefore, the organisation will ensure that its title holders compete on an equal standing like all other international participants," the statement read.
In a press release, Miss Namibia said the Miss World Organisation resolved at its annual national directors’ meeting in March that it will strictly enforce its standing rule that only the national winner can participate in the Miss World competition. The rule stipulates that the first runner-up can only participate if the national winner is unable to and/or incapacitated.
“Following the announcement, Miss Namibia had to adjust accordingly," CEO Umbi Karuaihe-Upi said. “There are rules and requirements that we have no control over, including the postponement of international beauty pageants. Hence, as licence franchise holders, we must abide by them. We have discussed this matter with Albertina, and she is ecstatic to represent Namibia at Miss Earth later this year.”
What does this mean for Miss Namibia?
The statement further noted that the impact on the Miss Namibia pageant is that only the national winner of the Miss Namibia 2024 will be sent to Miss Universe 2024, which will take place in Mexico in September. The first and second runner-ups will not represent Namibia on any international stage this year. Any further announcement will be made accordingly, should the need arise, it added.
“Our aim is to create a stepping stone for Namibian youth and women to excel in their respective fields of interest and to prepare outstanding leaders for our country. Additionally, Miss Namibia endeavours to honour our titleholders with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase their excellence.
“The pageants are expensive and take tremendous input from all stakeholders to achieve intended goals. Therefore, the organisation will ensure that its title holders compete on an equal standing like all other international participants," the statement read.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article