Former beauty queen, Justine Gaingos, made it her duty to redefine the role of pageantry in young women’s lives by founding the annual Miss Face of Grandeur (MFOGA) modelling competition in November last year, with the aim of using the platform to empower, uplift and educate young women beyond just beauty and grace in impoverished neighbourhoods around Windhoek.
Her passion for modelling began early, and led to Gaingos competing in and winning several pageants. She was crowned Miss Goreangab Dam in 2014 and became Miss Eldorado in 2016, before going on to compete in the prestigious Miss Teen Namibia 2017 event, where she was crowned “Miss Personality”.
“Growing up, I noticed the lack of platforms where young girls could be guided, mentored, and taught their true worth through pageantry. Many girls grow up with low self-esteem, unaware of their value, which leads them to make choices that negatively impact their futures. I knew I had to take action,” said Gaingos.
MFOGA’s first competition in December 2024 was a huge success, culminating in the crowning of its first queen. This experience, Gaingos shares, proved that modelling could be more than just a stage performance, because it has huge potential to be a tool for transformation.
“However, I wanted to do more. With insights I gained from my participation in a global entrepreneurship competition, I realized that MFOGA could evolve into something greater,” she remarked, adding that MFOGA is now transitioning into a fully-fledged modelling agency, skill-building program, and women empowerment workshop, structured into a six-month initiative aimed at equipping young women with the tools they need to succeed.
The program, which will run from May to October, will provide training in modelling and pageantry, basic skills development, entrepreneurship and will additionally provide psychological and trauma healing support to its participants, as a means to address mental health challenges, self-worth and past traumas.
The workshop also aims to tackle social aspects including leadership enhancement, public speaking, personal branding and financial independence, as well as to boost confidence and self-expression in young women living under dire circumstances, particularly in the Goreangab area.
“We are really not just focusing on training models. It’s about shaping strong, confident and visionary women. Our vision is simple yet powerful and it’s to create a world where one empowered woman can transform an entire community,” Gaingos said.
The program intends to enrol 30 young women between the ages of 18-24 and is calling on potential donors, sponsors, collaborators and supporters to join the cause, should they like to form part of this transformative initiative.
“While I had a few people supporting the event last year, I carried much of the financial and organizational burden myself. This time, I aim to build a sustainable support system. I deeply appreciate the support I received from stakeholders last year, but to anyone who believes in the power of empowering women, we welcome you to support this initiative. Together, we can change Namibia, one girl at a time,” she concluded.