Pupkewitz Toyota in hot water over Miss Namibia car sponsorships

MICHAEL KAYUNDE

WINDHOEK

Yesterday’s handover of sponsored vehicles to Miss Namibia 2021 Chelsi Shikongo and first runner-up Annerie Maré by Pupkewitz Toyota has sparked exasperation on social media on how the women were treated by the dealership.
According to social media users, Shikongo received a cheaper vehicle than her deputy, while more effort was put into branding Maré’s vehicle - which has her name on it. Shikongo received a Toyota Starlet while Maré was sponsored with a Toyota Corolla.
Commenting on the matter, Pupkewitz Toyota’s marketing manager Olivia Gentz said Shikongo received an exclusively branded vehicle to the standard of her stature. “Never in the 14 years that we have been sponsoring Miss Namibia have we had their names printed on the car.
“We engaged Chelsi Shikongo before committing to donate a car to Annerie Maré for her to use for her charity engagements as she prepares for Miss World 2021 next month. And Chelsi was selfless enough to say she did not have a problem with it,” Gentz said.

No limit
She added that the car Shikongo received will be used throughout her reign with no limitations on engagements that pertain to her Miss Namibia work, while Maré’s car may only be used for her charity work and must be returned before she takes part in Miss World at the end of next month.
“On the pricing, Maré’s vehicle is about N$60 000 more expensive than the one Shikongo received; this was not necessarily done on purpose. The model meant for Maré isn’t in stock. We also had to do double sponsorships because Maré doesn’t have car and we did not want to inconvenience Miss Namibia, Chelsi Shikongo, by borrowing her sponsored car to Maré for her engagements,” Gentz said.
The women are scheduled to represent Namibia at Miss Universe and Miss World in December.