Purity Mbeha is a 28-year old Namibian model based in Windhoek. She is a graduate of the International University of Management, where she obtained a Bachelor’s Honours Degree in Finance. With her love of fashion, Purity Mbeha founded a clothing store called Iwanika. When it comes to her modelling career, Purity Mbeha told Zed360 “I started my modelling career when I was 14. I was crowned Miss Zambezi 2014, I won Miss Grand Namibia 2016 Best swimwear model, I was listed as one of the Top 30 models from 354 African models, I was one of the Top 5 Nominees of the Africa Zikomo Awards 2021 and I am currently one of the Miss Namibia 2022 Semi-Finalists”.
The model, who has been doing it for 14 years, said she entered Miss Namibia because it would help her reach her goals of promoting mental health, feminism, charity work, and being a voice for those who don’t have one. When asked why she deserves to win this title, the 28-year old model said, “Like I mentioned earlier, I have been in this industry for the past 14 years due to my pageant experience and involvement. I believe that makes me unique.” She further added that she wants to Miss Namibia because she wants to be able to mobilise for the vulnerable and voiceless. Purity Mbeha stated that “if I am crowned Miss Namibia 2022, I see myself changing many lives in unbearable situations, giving hope to those who didn’t have hope”.
The Windhoek-based model said the biggest problem facing Namibian youth today is high unemployment. This has led us to a depressed generation. We are now battling with mental health issues, which has become our biggest enemy within our midst. A lot of people live in abusive environments; some commit suicide, and some commit murder due to bad mental health.
When asked if beauty pageants objectify women, Purity Mbeha told Zed360 “I would say it depends on the pageant and the title of the pageant; what is the theme of the title and what the organisers of the pageant are looking for in the person they would like to represent their brand; and also, it depends on societal beliefs and perception of what a model should look like or should behave; this might either cause a negative or positive impact on the model’s self-esteem.”
Purity Mbeha says that models have a responsibility to be positive role models and explained that even if she hasn’t yet elevated too far in this career she still inspires and gives hope to those who lost hope because of her unwavering hard work and perseverance. She added that “I would love to tell the aspiring models that when deciding to become a model you need to first know who you are……….they are a lot of no’s you will hear from the yes, so it’s best to know yourself because this will keep you on your game”.
Financial instability according to Purity Mbeha is the biggest challenge that models in Namibia face she said for example “I have been appointed by one of the national pageant directors to represent Namibia on international level but I couldn’t because I lacked fund and it’s too bad this career does not attract sponsors”.
