Da Cuñha set to shine at beauty pageant in Turkey
• From Namibia to the world
In an exclusive interview with tjil, Shanizia Nagracia Da Cuñha spoke about her exciting international modelling experiences and representing Namibia at the Miss Aura International 2025 pageant.
When Shanizia Nagracia Da Cuñha, one of Namibia’s rising stars in the world of fashion and modelling, walked onto a runway in Milan earlier this year, she felt a surge of emotions that she still struggles to put into words.
Now, as she represents Namibia at the prestigious Miss Aura International 2025 pageant in Antalya, Turkey, that same determination and excitement are propelling her onto an even bigger stage.
Da Cuñha joins 40 other contestants from around the world at the Rixos Sungate, a luxury five-star resort overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, where the pageant’s activities commenced on Sunday, 11 May, and will culminate in the grand finale on Friday, 23 May.
The competition includes a series of high-profile events, with the semi-finals set for Tuesday, 20 May. Contestants are not only judged on their stage presence but also vying for public support; online voting is open, and the contestant with the most votes secures a coveted spot in the top 10.
“It has been nothing short of phenomenal,” Da Cuñha shared of her experience thus far, adding that the level of hospitality and the pageantry at the resort have been extraordinary.
For the young model, whose career began on the runways of Windhoek, the road to Turkey has been paved with hard work, self-belief and a relentless pursuit of excellence. She recalls the day she received the news she had been cast for a runway show in Milan, a moment she describes as “surreal”.
“I remember feeling anxious yet excited,” she reflected in a written interview with tjil this week. “This is the kind of opportunity that so many models dream of, and it was finally happening for me.”
A brand-new stage
Walking in Milan, one of the world’s fashion capitals, unleashed a unique blend of emotions: nervousness, exhilaration and an empowering sense of purpose as she strode beneath the bright lights.
Despite the grandeur of Milan’s shows, she noted that the experiences are not entirely dissimilar to Namibia’s fashion events, where organisers deliver equally impressive productions. However, Da Cuñha acknowledged that international shows often come with stricter requirements, something she advises aspiring Namibian models to prepare for through diligent research.
In Milan, Da Cuñha walked for Italian and New York-based designers, whose attention to detail she greatly admired, not only as a model but as a fashion designer herself. “They are bold in their creativity, and each has a distinctive style that I found inspiring,” she said.
Representing Namibia on such platforms has reinforced her belief that with effort and resilience, no dream is beyond reach. “It only takes one ‘yes’ to change your life,” she said, a mantra that has fuelled her ambition to showcase Namibia’s talent on global runways.
Da Cuñha’s rise has already been recognised locally.
She was named female model of the year at the Simply You Magazine Lifestyle and Fashion Awards in 2024, an accolade she says reaffirmed her trajectory and opened new doors for creatives like herself.
Her message to young Namibian models: perfect your craft, research thoroughly and don’t settle for any opportunity that comes your way. “Not everything that glitters is gold,” she cautions. “Believe in yourself, because you have nothing to lose by doing that. If I can go after my desires, so can you.”
Fans can follow Da Cuñha’s journey on the official Miss Aura Namibia Instagram page, while those wishing to support her in the public vote can do so via PayPal at sysprotechvoting.com.
Now, as she represents Namibia at the prestigious Miss Aura International 2025 pageant in Antalya, Turkey, that same determination and excitement are propelling her onto an even bigger stage.
Da Cuñha joins 40 other contestants from around the world at the Rixos Sungate, a luxury five-star resort overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, where the pageant’s activities commenced on Sunday, 11 May, and will culminate in the grand finale on Friday, 23 May.
The competition includes a series of high-profile events, with the semi-finals set for Tuesday, 20 May. Contestants are not only judged on their stage presence but also vying for public support; online voting is open, and the contestant with the most votes secures a coveted spot in the top 10.
“It has been nothing short of phenomenal,” Da Cuñha shared of her experience thus far, adding that the level of hospitality and the pageantry at the resort have been extraordinary.
For the young model, whose career began on the runways of Windhoek, the road to Turkey has been paved with hard work, self-belief and a relentless pursuit of excellence. She recalls the day she received the news she had been cast for a runway show in Milan, a moment she describes as “surreal”.
“I remember feeling anxious yet excited,” she reflected in a written interview with tjil this week. “This is the kind of opportunity that so many models dream of, and it was finally happening for me.”
A brand-new stage
Walking in Milan, one of the world’s fashion capitals, unleashed a unique blend of emotions: nervousness, exhilaration and an empowering sense of purpose as she strode beneath the bright lights.
Despite the grandeur of Milan’s shows, she noted that the experiences are not entirely dissimilar to Namibia’s fashion events, where organisers deliver equally impressive productions. However, Da Cuñha acknowledged that international shows often come with stricter requirements, something she advises aspiring Namibian models to prepare for through diligent research.
In Milan, Da Cuñha walked for Italian and New York-based designers, whose attention to detail she greatly admired, not only as a model but as a fashion designer herself. “They are bold in their creativity, and each has a distinctive style that I found inspiring,” she said.
Representing Namibia on such platforms has reinforced her belief that with effort and resilience, no dream is beyond reach. “It only takes one ‘yes’ to change your life,” she said, a mantra that has fuelled her ambition to showcase Namibia’s talent on global runways.
Da Cuñha’s rise has already been recognised locally.
She was named female model of the year at the Simply You Magazine Lifestyle and Fashion Awards in 2024, an accolade she says reaffirmed her trajectory and opened new doors for creatives like herself.
Her message to young Namibian models: perfect your craft, research thoroughly and don’t settle for any opportunity that comes your way. “Not everything that glitters is gold,” she cautions. “Believe in yourself, because you have nothing to lose by doing that. If I can go after my desires, so can you.”
Fans can follow Da Cuñha’s journey on the official Miss Aura Namibia Instagram page, while those wishing to support her in the public vote can do so via PayPal at sysprotechvoting.com.
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