Mare on Miss World, America and charity work
STAFF REPORTER
WINDHOEK
After the postponement of the Miss World pageant, which was scheduled to take place in Puerto Rico in December 2021, Namibia’s contestant Annerie Mare opted to travel to the United States to wait for the event, now scheduled for Wednesday, 16 March.
She said the Miss World competition has already changed her life.
“The privilege of getting to know beautiful ambassadors from over 100 countries made me realise the honour I have to represent Namibia on a global platform and to be a goodwill ambassador for Namibia. This journey is so much bigger than myself – it is about the influence of my nation on the world.”
About the pageant being hosted in Puerto Rico, Mare said four years ago, the country was severely impacted by Hurricane Maria, which brought about devastation and great loss for their economy and tourism.
“Now, barely recovering, the Covid-19 pandemic hit, adding more pressure to this little piece of tropical paradise.
“In a bid to help change the trajectory of this economic strain, former Miss World 2017, Stefany del Valle, who is from Puerto Rico, secured the opportunity to host the Miss World pageant in her beloved country.
“The event will help boost the economy and tourism through the hundreds of guests visiting this island,” Mare said.
The journey so far
Mare shared that she arrived in Puerto Rico a month ahead the originally scheduled pageant final along with over 100 women from around the globe.
“The busyness of each day and night was constant. People and diplomats to meet, tours to experience this tropical beauty, and competitions in strength, agility, speaking and presentation were all part of narrowing down the field. We were all very busy and had a very compacted programme.”
She said the organisers tested the participants and crew for Covid-19 every second day, and that by the third week of the competition, positive results began surfacing amongst the participants.
“Some had to be taken into isolation. I thank God that I never tested positive in this time. However, the rise in positive tests amongst contestants and staff led to the huge decision that had to be made. We heard the news the night before the final that the pageant committee had decided to reschedule the final.
“I gained much respect for the Miss World Organisation regarding the tough decisions they had to make for all of our safety,” Mare said.
Grabbing opportunities
Currently based in West Virginia, the beauty queen said her schedule is focused on empowering young people by visiting schools and speaking at universities, specifically in the agricultural departments, to create awareness about the needs faced in Namibia.
“I’m also connecting with larger international student organisations that do work in other countries as well as international internships with college students to possibly open doors to Namibian agricultural needs.”
She also plans to speak at and visit organisations that specialise in community gardening as another avenue to bring more positive information back to Namibia.
“I will also be visiting former Miss Namibia and Miss Universe 1995, Michelle McLean, in Miami for some coaching, and we’ll take time to go to local homeless, women’s and children’s shelters to encourage and uplift their spirits, and volunteer at a local soup kitchen,” she said.
WINDHOEK
After the postponement of the Miss World pageant, which was scheduled to take place in Puerto Rico in December 2021, Namibia’s contestant Annerie Mare opted to travel to the United States to wait for the event, now scheduled for Wednesday, 16 March.
She said the Miss World competition has already changed her life.
“The privilege of getting to know beautiful ambassadors from over 100 countries made me realise the honour I have to represent Namibia on a global platform and to be a goodwill ambassador for Namibia. This journey is so much bigger than myself – it is about the influence of my nation on the world.”
About the pageant being hosted in Puerto Rico, Mare said four years ago, the country was severely impacted by Hurricane Maria, which brought about devastation and great loss for their economy and tourism.
“Now, barely recovering, the Covid-19 pandemic hit, adding more pressure to this little piece of tropical paradise.
“In a bid to help change the trajectory of this economic strain, former Miss World 2017, Stefany del Valle, who is from Puerto Rico, secured the opportunity to host the Miss World pageant in her beloved country.
“The event will help boost the economy and tourism through the hundreds of guests visiting this island,” Mare said.
The journey so far
Mare shared that she arrived in Puerto Rico a month ahead the originally scheduled pageant final along with over 100 women from around the globe.
“The busyness of each day and night was constant. People and diplomats to meet, tours to experience this tropical beauty, and competitions in strength, agility, speaking and presentation were all part of narrowing down the field. We were all very busy and had a very compacted programme.”
She said the organisers tested the participants and crew for Covid-19 every second day, and that by the third week of the competition, positive results began surfacing amongst the participants.
“Some had to be taken into isolation. I thank God that I never tested positive in this time. However, the rise in positive tests amongst contestants and staff led to the huge decision that had to be made. We heard the news the night before the final that the pageant committee had decided to reschedule the final.
“I gained much respect for the Miss World Organisation regarding the tough decisions they had to make for all of our safety,” Mare said.
Grabbing opportunities
Currently based in West Virginia, the beauty queen said her schedule is focused on empowering young people by visiting schools and speaking at universities, specifically in the agricultural departments, to create awareness about the needs faced in Namibia.
“I’m also connecting with larger international student organisations that do work in other countries as well as international internships with college students to possibly open doors to Namibian agricultural needs.”
She also plans to speak at and visit organisations that specialise in community gardening as another avenue to bring more positive information back to Namibia.
“I will also be visiting former Miss Namibia and Miss Universe 1995, Michelle McLean, in Miami for some coaching, and we’ll take time to go to local homeless, women’s and children’s shelters to encourage and uplift their spirits, and volunteer at a local soup kitchen,” she said.
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