Republikein Newspaper

Ester Kamati

Currently studying towards a bachelor of law degree at the University of Namibia and a paralegal studies graduate, Mupupa is a great example of a beauty with brains.

She has been modelling professionally for about three years, specifically on the runway and at fashion shows, and recently featured in the Katutura Fashion Week and Windhoek Fashion Week.

A lover of all things creative, Mupupa is a hair and makeup enthusiast who also runs a YouTube channel and is a presenter at 97.4fm.

“I love everything and anything that has to do with art, from makeup to design,” she says.

The 22-year-old values her online presence and says that “as a model, social media is a very important tool to you because this is the first place people go to when they want to work with you.”

The law student is excited about her participation in this pageant despite the lack of sponsors as this would be her first time representing her country on an international level and she says she is looking forward to raising her country’s flag high. She is also enthusiastic about meeting the other contestants.

The pageant, which was initially scheduled for 1-15 November, has been postponed and will likely take place early in March 2020 according to Mupupa.

“We don’t contest to feel appreciated; we contest to appreciate ourselves for who we are,” says Mupupa about her participation in pageants. She shared that other than a fun experience, beauty pageants are also platforms where women are strengthened.

The young woman believes in setting a vision that is big enough to keep her motivated. She adds that the best advice she has ever received was from her mother, who told her that “in order to get, you must give.”

Mupupa shared with The Zone that she has already checked off most of the items on her bucket list for the year and is leaving the rest for next year.

The annual international pageant, first held in 2010, is scheduled to take place in Nigeria. The winner will receive endorsement deals worth N$50 000, among other prizes.

The pageant is unique in that there is no swimsuit category and it includes contestants from across Africa, regardless of their language and religion. The reigning queen is Miss University Africa Zimbabwe.

Fun Facts about Kamary Mupupa

· She studied nail anatomy at a beauty school for a few months and is a certified nail technician.

· She was originally born with 12 fingers.

· She was the tallest at her kindergarten.

· She loves to dance.

· She is an animal lover.