Twenty-one-year-old Cassia Sharpley was crowned Miss Namibia 2022 during a glitzy coronation event at the Windhoek Country Club and Resort on Friday evening. 

The second runner-up is Diana Andimba and the first runner-up is Leone van Jaarsveld.

Zawady Tjijombe is Miss Congeniality chosen by the finalists and Aina Kweyo is Miss Photogenic.

The event was hosted by local actor Adriano Visagie and Miss Namibia and Miss Universe 1992 and now patron of Miss Namibia Michelle McLean. The crowd was treated to live music performances and a dance routine by the 12 finalists. 

Miss Namibia 2021 Chelsi Shikongo handed over her crown to Sharpley, who soon after being called the winner, could be seen saying “Thank you Jesus” with her eyes closed and arms outstretched in honour and giving praise to the most high.  

Many commented on social media about this action, describing her as a prayer warrior, prayer beauty and prayerful woman.  

With tears running down her cheeks, Sharpley then took her first steps as Miss Namibia with her beautiful crown. 

Sharpley, who was the runner-up to Miss Teen Namibia 2017, is a dancer and model from Windhoek and is actively involved in poverty eradication efforts.

In the run-up to the election of the top 5, all contestants were asked a variety of questions. 

Her question was: “In your onion, how different will the world be if women were to rule the world?”

She answered: “We are finding ourselves in a position where equality is evident within the world. I’m grateful for how we as Namibians are standing up and how the world has accommodated Namibians in their respective advocacies. I believe women are great leaders and everyone is in a position to lead. A woman gives birth to leaders as well. I believe women themselves not only impact other women but the world at large”.

In an earlier interview, Sharpley was asked how the title of Miss Namibia will help her grow her cause, and she said the title is not just national or international, adding that her cause focuses on poverty alleviation, not just in Namibia but interactionally. 

“I believe Namibia is a haven of hope for the rest of the world. As Miss Namibia, I will invest in the lives of the youth as they are the future of this country. It is highly needed. Our country is made and produced by leaders, not followers.” 

A lover of people, Sharpley said she aims to motivate everyone and wants to remind them that they are “enough, worthy”.

“What you are going through might be hard now but it is designing you for something big. Every trial you go through is destined for a bigger triumph.” 

Sharpley said her older brother, Joshua Sharpley, inspires her to maintain a healthy lifestyle and their mother Angela Sharpley helped her discover her love for singing.

She attended Eagles Christian Academy in Windhoek and started playing the piano as a little girl. As a teenager, she played football, hockey and netball.

In 2014, she was scouted for modelling in Los Angeles, California, United States, and two years later took part in the championships for the performing arts in South Africa where she won eight gold medals and one silver medal.

In June 2018, she represented Namibia at Miss Teen Continents 2018 at South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA and competed against eight other candidates. She was unplaced but she won the Best in Interview award.

She founded the Honey Comb Haven Foundation in June 2022 to help the less fortunate members of her community in Windhoek.

She is working as a basic life support paramedic and pursuing a bachelor’s degree in emergency medical care at the Namibia University of Science and Technology in Windhoek.

Sharpley will represent Namibia at Miss Universe 2022 in San Jose, Costa Rica in December this year.