Shikongo on one-man show
She visited Circle of Hope Private Academy to see how she can assist autistic children, and called on those who work with support animals to help the pupils find furry friends.
TUYEIMO HAIDULA
ONGWEDIVA
Miss Namibia 2021 Chelsi Shikongo is doing a one-man show on her visits to schools in northern Namibia to fulfil her duties as the reigning queen.
On Monday, she visited Circle of Hope Private Academy in Ongwediva in the Oshana Region.
The school caters to autistic children and currently has 15 pupils. Shikongo arrived in the company of her mother, Mary, and a friend.
This comes just a month after the Miss Namibia organisers came under fire for handing over a car to Shikongo worth less than one handed over to her first runner-up, Annerie Maré.
Initially, the pageant’s national director Conny Maritz dismissed racism claims and said there was no vehicle available for Maré that was similar to the Toyota Starlet handed over to Shikongo. She therefore received a Toyota Corolla, which, it turns out, has a higher value than the Starlet.
Outcry continued on social media, with some calling the move “institutional racism”.
Shikongo was at pains to explain why she was travelling alone and whether it was protocol to do so. She referred questions to the event organisers.
Maritz was not available to comment, and has not responded to questions sent to her via WhatsApp and text.
Man’s best friend
The beauty queen was at the school to see how she can assist autistic children cope with an environment that is often out of sync with their abilities. She called on people who work with support animals and SPCA Namibia to visit the school so pupils who are loners, find it difficult to communicate and would rather keep to themselves can have a friend in an animal.
“This can be their support system as some children really communicate better with a support pet. I want to raise awareness about children living with autism and how they should be treated, seen, loved and supported all over the world.
“The children should know that I care about them and they exist and their voices matter,” she said.
Circle of Hope is run by founder Victoria Joel, who is hard at work to create awareness on autism. She receives support from one of the pupils’ parents, Lovisa Amon. She too had to learn how to take care of her son, Tyappa (7).
Shikongo had a brief conversation with Amon, who explained autistic children’s needs and how a stranger can engage and assist them, if need be.
The beauty queen promised to return to the school next year to see that the support animal project works out.
Slow fundraising
Shikongo used the platform to thank Pupkewitz Toyota for being an “amazing” sponsor and sorting the car issue out, and lauded the Miss Namibia organisers for their “constant support”.
“We are all human beings, we make mistakes. Let us focus on people who are helping us and if they are not, then we carry on. I appreciate the Namibian people for feeling like their voices had to be heard. We live in a time when it’s important to answer these questions,” she said.
Meanwhile, the model is running a GoFundMe campaign - which she said was started for her friends outside the country - to raise funds for her trip to Miss Universe in December.
Her goal is to collect US$14 000 (N$206 500) but, by yesterday afternoon, had only collected US$125 (about N$1 844).
She once again asked willing Namibians to chip in to assist her raise money for the trip by contacting the Miss Namibia organisers to make their pledges.
Former Miss Namibia Selma Kamanya, who was crowned in July 2018, had publicly announced her disappointment in the pageant leadership and said she was left to fend for herself during her reign.
- [email protected]
ONGWEDIVA
Miss Namibia 2021 Chelsi Shikongo is doing a one-man show on her visits to schools in northern Namibia to fulfil her duties as the reigning queen.
On Monday, she visited Circle of Hope Private Academy in Ongwediva in the Oshana Region.
The school caters to autistic children and currently has 15 pupils. Shikongo arrived in the company of her mother, Mary, and a friend.
This comes just a month after the Miss Namibia organisers came under fire for handing over a car to Shikongo worth less than one handed over to her first runner-up, Annerie Maré.
Initially, the pageant’s national director Conny Maritz dismissed racism claims and said there was no vehicle available for Maré that was similar to the Toyota Starlet handed over to Shikongo. She therefore received a Toyota Corolla, which, it turns out, has a higher value than the Starlet.
Outcry continued on social media, with some calling the move “institutional racism”.
Shikongo was at pains to explain why she was travelling alone and whether it was protocol to do so. She referred questions to the event organisers.
Maritz was not available to comment, and has not responded to questions sent to her via WhatsApp and text.
Man’s best friend
The beauty queen was at the school to see how she can assist autistic children cope with an environment that is often out of sync with their abilities. She called on people who work with support animals and SPCA Namibia to visit the school so pupils who are loners, find it difficult to communicate and would rather keep to themselves can have a friend in an animal.
“This can be their support system as some children really communicate better with a support pet. I want to raise awareness about children living with autism and how they should be treated, seen, loved and supported all over the world.
“The children should know that I care about them and they exist and their voices matter,” she said.
Circle of Hope is run by founder Victoria Joel, who is hard at work to create awareness on autism. She receives support from one of the pupils’ parents, Lovisa Amon. She too had to learn how to take care of her son, Tyappa (7).
Shikongo had a brief conversation with Amon, who explained autistic children’s needs and how a stranger can engage and assist them, if need be.
The beauty queen promised to return to the school next year to see that the support animal project works out.
Slow fundraising
Shikongo used the platform to thank Pupkewitz Toyota for being an “amazing” sponsor and sorting the car issue out, and lauded the Miss Namibia organisers for their “constant support”.
“We are all human beings, we make mistakes. Let us focus on people who are helping us and if they are not, then we carry on. I appreciate the Namibian people for feeling like their voices had to be heard. We live in a time when it’s important to answer these questions,” she said.
Meanwhile, the model is running a GoFundMe campaign - which she said was started for her friends outside the country - to raise funds for her trip to Miss Universe in December.
Her goal is to collect US$14 000 (N$206 500) but, by yesterday afternoon, had only collected US$125 (about N$1 844).
She once again asked willing Namibians to chip in to assist her raise money for the trip by contacting the Miss Namibia organisers to make their pledges.
Former Miss Namibia Selma Kamanya, who was crowned in July 2018, had publicly announced her disappointment in the pageant leadership and said she was left to fend for herself during her reign.
- [email protected]
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