Pageant winner to establish teen club

By Rosalia David

MISS Zambezi 2020 Tonchi Namakau has plans to establish a club for teenagers in her region to create a platform for young people to come together and discuss social issues affecting the Namibian girl child.

In an interview with Confidente, 18-year-old Namakau emphasised the importance of the club saying that it will help many young people in the Zambezi region.

“Things such as teenage pregnancies have always been on the increase this side and coming up with a club that deals with issues such as teenage pregnancies or abuse amongst girls is the best way,” she said.

Namakau said the inspiration came after winning Miss Zambezi last year which enabled her to visit orphanages while travelling around the region.

“There’s so much expected from me in terms of coming up with projects to improve living standards of people in our communities, forming a charity organisation, starting up a club to speak about common issues like teenage pregnancy, suicide, anxiety and rape, just to mention a few, but it is worth it because after travelling around, I have learnt a lot,” she added.

She added that, although after winning Miss Zambezi she is expected to come up with projects benefitting the region, she wants to be the change and make a difference in people’s lives.

“It is time to do what I have always wanted to do.

I wasn’t really inspired to join the modelling industry, but my love for being the change and making a difference in every little way possible made me go for it as the title gives me the platform and opportunity to do so in a very effective way.”

Regarding the teen club, she added:  “I am still busy running around to put things together and see where we can operate from.”

Born in Walvis Bay and raised in the town of Katima Mulilo and in Ngoma village situated in Zambezi region, Namakau further expressed gratitude towards winning the beauty contest last year saying that she feels honoured.

“It was such a great feeling. It is nice to have a responsibility and authority over the region to make a difference.

I feel so empowered,” she said.

The English student at the Namibia University of Science and Technology of Namibia (NUST) further urged upcoming models to keep their heads up high and follow their dreams.

“To upcoming models who have lost hope especially during the pandemic, always keep your head up high, have confidence … if you can dream it you can achieve it”.