Beauty meets impact: Elly Aron’s rise

Newly crowned Miss World Namibia Elly Aron, a 20-year-old software development student from the Ohangwena region, will represent the country at the 73rd Miss World pageant, bringing a strong focus on youth wellness and social impact.

The founder of Penomwene Trust, Aron is actively involved in youth-focused initiatives, with particular emphasis on wellness and teenage pregnancy prevention.

Currently majoring in software development, Aron was officially crowned on 31 January at the Marigold Hotel in Windhoek, during a ceremony that marked the next chapter in her already purpose-driven public role.

Aron, who is majoring in software development, was crowned on 31 January at the Marigold Hotel in Windhoek, marking the start of the next chapter in her already purpose-fileld public roles.

Before her crowning, she held the title of Miss NGO Namibia 2025 before taking on the mantle of Miss World Namibia.

Miss NGO Namibia is the the official licence holder of the Miss World franchise in the country.

Aron told tjil that her interest in pageantry has always been driven by storytelling and advocacy.

She said from a young age, she was drawn to expressive spaces where stories are brought to life.

“Like theatre,” she said, “where voices and stories are told.”

Aron recalled that her interest in pageantry began in 2018, the year Selma Kamanya was crowned Miss Namibia. Watching from the sidelines, she came to see that beauty and social impact can co-exist – a realisation that would influence her own path.

Grassroots community work

Her time as Miss NGO Namibia proved to be a formative experience. Reflecting on that chapter, Aron said that being an ambassador for the many local NGOs affiliated with the platform allowed her to work closely with founders of community initiatives.

Through this role, she volunteered at soup kitchens, participated in community outreach programmes and gained hands-on experience in grassroots activism.

Beyond pageantry, Aron is also the founder of Penomwene Trust, a youth-led initiative focused on youth wellness. The organisation operates under a single core pillar, addressing challenges that Namibian youth face daily.

These include mental health struggles, teenage pregnancy prevention, drug and substance abuse, menstrual health and more.

While the trust covers a broad range of issues, Aron said she intends to use her reign as Miss World Namibia to focus on teenage pregnancy prevention. “We hope that by the end of my reign, statistics will have lowered in the surrounding areas that we plan to reach,” she said.

Speaking about her studies, Aron said her background in technology has shaped how she approaches communication and advocacy, giving her insight into how digital platforms influence the way information is shared and received. She added that she uses technology as a practical tool for education, awareness and youth empowerment.

Balancing her academic commitments with her ambassadorial role, she said, requires discipline, preparation and clear priorities.

“My studies and ambassadorial responsibilities mean the world to me. I take these commitments with my entire heart, but it all comes down to intentional time management and understanding that there’s a time for everything,” Aron noted.

Global stage

Aron will represent Namibia at the 73rd Miss World international pageant, an opportunity she says will expose her to cultures and perspectives from around the world.

“I’m especially looking forward to being an ambassador for my nation and putting Namibia on the map. That is what I’m most excited about,” she said.

Away from the spotlight, Aron said her life remains firmly rooted in family. When she is not engaged in public appearances or community work, she spends her time with her parents and siblings.

She noted that it is important to remember that behind the titles and crowns are individuals with everyday responsibilities and ordinary lives.