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A graduate with a bachelor's in accounting who is currently pursuing and studying towards her Honours, Jeanette Tlhabanello is the current Mrs Globe Namibia, Mrs Africa Namibia and Mrs Africa Elegant, and she has been chosen to represent Namibia and the African continent at the Mrs International Globe pageant with national holders from all seven continents taking place in October in China later on this year. An outspoken Tlhabanello has a lot of fire in her and is passionate about her work. She explained what makes Mrs Globe a different pageant from the rest. The Mrs Africa Foundation is the official charity organisation of the Mrs Africa Pageant and is founded on the legacy of the past and present Mrs Africa titleholders who changed lives in their communities. “These phenomenal women graced various international stages and showcased the powerful, strong, gracious and beautiful African woman to the world. They work in some of the worst war-affected areas on our continent and are passionate about female development and education in Africa,” Tlhabanello said. Mrs Africa is a pageant for married women only as the founders believe most pageants and modelling competitions are limited to single women and thus singling out women with potential to make a change within their community. “Their passion and humanitarian work lasts longer than their year of reign and they have formed an African Sisterhood that will be talked about years to come,” said Tlhabanello as she explained her work. She added that Mrs Africa is a “unique and innovative” opportunity for mothers and married women to exercise their pre-existing care and nurturing way of living to work for the community. “As a mother and a wife, it comes naturally for me to show my love for different people. I am an active community member and this is something I have within me as I believe charity starts at home,” she added. Admitting that pageantry was never her cup of tea, she said it was her high school teacher who noticed her elegance and advised her to take part in the then Miss Jan Jonker Afrikaner pageant in 2002. “I was very against it at first as I was never the average girly girl. I liked hanging out with boys so you can imagine my reaction when my teacher approached me and told me to enter,” Tlhabanello explained. To her own surprise, she managed to bag the title. A few years down the line, she won other competitions including Miss Khomasdal, Miss Independence and Miss Windhoek Show. Her last participation in a conventional pageant was the Miss Namibia pageant where she made it to the top 10. When she found out about the Mrs Africa pageant, she thought it was a wonderful platform to show her passion and willingness to work for something she believed in. “I joined this pageant because I always dreamed that I will one day be in a position to be a Good Samaritan to unfortunate people, promote goodwill, be an example of gentleness, kindness and faith and most of all, be a tool of the Lord for spreading His will,” Tlhabanello said. Being part of this pageant, Tlhabanello is currently busy with two projects which are 'Dignity Dreams', a non-profit organisation that distributes washable feminine sanitary pads to underprivileged girls and women in all participating Mrs Africa countries and 'DeskBags' which are functional, eco-friendly school bags that are also a portable desk solution.“Sanitary pads should not be a luxury and no women or girl should have to use socks, newspaper, toilet paper, or miss school during her menstrual cycle because she cannot afford sanitary wear,” she said. Tlhabanello believes that will have a negative impact on their education, self-esteem and the cycle of poverty will continue to grow. Namibia is currently faced with many challenges affecting the education sector due to the lack of teaching staff and adequate classrooms in the country. Many children in the rural areas and in some cases in urban areas, are force to study in tents or under trees. The DeskBag allows the child to carry his or her school books and stationery safely to and from school, while the flap, which is reinforced with durable perspex, becomes an instant, durable desk when unfolded. Currently searching for funds to attend the pageant in China, Tlhabanello is calling upon individuals and stakeholders to help raise funds for her trip. “I really want to bring the title back home and prove myself to the community that I am willing to make a difference.”TUNOHOLE MUNGOBA

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Namibian Sun 2026-04-02

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Hot mama!

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Namibian Sun 2026-04-02

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