Justicia Shipena and Julia Heita
MTC’s chief of human capital and corporate affairs Tim Ekandjo called out Namibian corporate sector for only supporting national icons after they have won.
Ekandjo said, during a press conference announcing sponsorship for Miss Namibia 2021 on Tuesday, that companies have a terrible habit of shutting their eyes to the icons in time of need.
“When the people come back with their medals or crowns, that’s when we want to give them all sorts of things, which should have been given to them now when it really mattered,” said Ekandjo.
He encouraged corporate companies that want to make contributions to do it now and not when Miss Namibia is back with the crown.
“This time we will not allow you to run on this and get free cheap publicity,” he expressed.
During the event, Ekandjo implored companies to join MTC in assisting Miss Namibia 2021, who is expected to represent the country at the Miss Universe pageant in December.
The Miss universe pageant will be held in Israel.
“So, to all those corporates that give people beds after they’ve won, we still need N$50 000. But that’s bare minimum so we need about N$150 000.”
Ekandjo added that the biggest problem with our national icons is that they go and compete with so much worry.
“Our people always go compete with so much worry that why they lose, because they always think of the problems back at home.
“You see what we did for Beatrice and Christine, they went to the Olympics with no worries because they know that they will be returning to a comfortable house of their own,” he said.
On a lighter note, Ekandjo said that when one becomes Miss Namibia it should mean something but not only for the reigning year.
“We want to see the lives of these girls changing forever, even though their reign is just one year, they should have something to come back too and say yes, I have achieved this and that. Not having to give back things they’ve won example the car” he stressed.
According to Ekandjo, a house and a car should be things included in the Miss Namibia package.
“So, it means something given to them and this is also how we inspire other girls to participate in future pageants.”
MTC said it is willing to partner with other companies to make this happen.
“We just don’t want to make promises, we are willing to go to various corporate companies and make this dream happen this year for Chelsi.”
