//Kharas blessed with youth ambassadors

KEETMANSHOOP – A group of young ambassadors, including beauty pageant queens, their runners-up and a Junior National Council member, paid //Kharas regional governor Dawid Gertze a surprise visit last week to share the causes they hope to champion.

Welcoming the delegation, Gertze said his office received them not only as young ambassadors, but also as role models, emerging leaders and symbols of the vast potential among young people in the region and across Namibia. “Your achievements have brought immense pride to your families, schools, communities and the entire //Kharas region,” he said.

He added: “To see young girls from our region rise to national and continental platforms reminds us that greatness does not come only from big cities.” Gertze said their journey was greater than any beauty title, as they had inspired many young girls to believe they, too, can dream big.

He reminded them that a crown should never be merely a symbol of beauty, but also one of character, discipline, confidence, leadership and service. “Remain humble, disciplined and committed to your education, respect your parents and teachers; and never forget where you come from,” he concluded.

Lizaan Kamburute, Miss Pre-Teen Africa Namibia 2026, said her love of modelling and dancing motivated her to enter the pageant.

“I was a bit shy and not myself in the beginning, so my message to my peers is to believe in themselves. Once you overcome this challenge, you can achieve a lot in life. I am testimony to this,” she said.

Kamburute added: “I will represent my country in Botswana at the Africa pageant later this year, and I am doing this not only for the //Kharas region, but for the rest of Namibia.” Junior National Council member Carol Willem said her advocacy focuses on raising awareness about gender-based violence among young people.

“Boys should not beat girls; they should respect them and grow together to become tomorrow’s leaders,” she said.

Willem also said mental health is a cause close to her heart and urged private and public institutions to support those who cannot afford treatment.

Vanessa Beukes, a teacher and first runner-up in the Ms Hope Namibia National Elite Division, said her advocacy campaign, “Hope Beyond the Label,” is based on a simple belief: “See the person
before the label, ability before disability and potential before limitation.” She said no child, including those who learn differently or live with disabilities, should feel excluded.

“That is why I want to reach out to parents, teachers and learners to create awareness, challenge stigma and help children discover that they still have ability, potential and purpose in life,” she said.

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