Miss Ability Namibia returns

Following a one-year hiatus due to budget constraints among other issues, the nationally celebrated Miss Ability Namibia pageant is returning this year.

The initiative is solely aimed at empowering young women with disabilities, highlighting their strengths, abilities and beauty, despite their disabilities.

Founder and organiser of Miss Ability Namibia Eva Josaphat shares her excitement in seeing the pageant return.

“Last year, we were unable to mobilise the necessary funds to conduct the event. Since I have been conducting this project alone without any assistance, it has not been easy,” Josaphat says.

This year’s theme is ‘Breaking Barriers, Embracing Beauty.’

“We have chosen this theme because more women with disabilities have emerged to embrace their uniqueness and beauty. They are willing to be at the forefront and break the barriers ahead. The future is here, and it is female,” Josaphat says.

This year, Miss Ability Namibia aims to raise the bar by hosting a physical pageant following the virtual edition in 2023.

“We want to shatter the stigma and discrimination against people with disabilities, especially when it comes to securing sponsorships. I expect businesses, corporate entities, and the government to rally behind this initiative, just as they do for mainstream beauty pageants like Miss Namibia,” she states.

Josaphat believes the initiative has potential to cause social change.

“We want this event to instill humility and challenge the outdated thinking about women with disabilities. It’s time to shatter the status quo.”

The event will be staged in Windhoek later this year, subject to how fast sponsorship is secured.

“Pageant participants can expect to be inspired by a celebration of women with disabilities. We want to change what has been deemed impossible to a celebration of possibilities,” she says.

Although the pageant has had no specific number of candidates in past years, the 2025 event hopes to have 20 candidates competing for the title.

“Our main goal is to leave a lasting impression and let the world know that disability is not inability,” Josaphat says.

Miss Ability Namibia has grown over the years with inspiring individuals such as the late Elizabeth Agondji setting the bar high.

“Elizabeth was a passionate advocate of disability rights. She fought for access to air travel via Fly Namibia and left a lasting impression. Unfortunately, she died later on,” Josaphat says.

Loide Mupuma, the 2023 winner, is also a model of self-confidence and toughness.

“She has embraced her disability fully and no longer hides her scars. That is the kind of empowerment we are working towards.”

Josaphat wishes Miss Ability Namibia would be recognised across the nation and represented on high platforms such as Miss Namibia.

“We aspire to be recognised at the national level and be represented in government structures promoting disability rights. Our aim is to motivate and empower the community, particularly young women with disabilities.”

To guarantee the success of the 2025 edition, Miss Ability Namibia invites sponsors and partners to assist in any way possible.

“We welcome any form of assistance, whether service, financial, refreshments, or any form of support. Any little thing counts,” says Josaphat.