Rachel reflects on Miss Eco-Tourism World pageant experience

Entertainment | 2021-11-11 Photo Rachel Tukuhupwele

• PINEHAS NAKAZIKO

JUST back from South Africa, where she represented Namibia and obtained two accolades at the Miss Eco-Tourism World pageant, local model Rachel Tukuhupwele – known simply by her first name, was delighted to share her experiences at the event.

Rachel describes herself as a go-getter who has achieved a lot through hard work. She says her journey at the pageant was beautiful but also quite stressful due to the long hours of training required.

“The experience was not what I anticipated, but nothing comes easy in life. If you're hungry enough, you'll definitely pull through,” she says.

She learned much about herself, the country, the tourism industry, and women and child abuse, among other topics during the week-long pageant.

She was crowned Miss Eco-Tourism Sports, which was awarded through a gym session at Ubuntu Fitness Club in Durban, and she also scooped the best speaker of the pageant award and placed in the top 12 on the night of the crowning.

“I feel ecstatic. I am glad that my hard work paid off,” she says.

She's eager to do more international pageants and plans to focus on her businesses and work at growing her brand.

“I envision myself to be a successful and independent woman, a business owner for that matter.”

She says she found herself on the international stage, which is why she used her experience to open a modelling agency to help other young Namibians to live their dreams too.

“We are a country that believes modelling holds no ground, I'd like to alter that. Pageants provide young girls with an opportunity to amplify their voices on what they stand for.”

For her, modelling is much more than a hobby.

“I've always been hungry for it, and because of this, I can call it passion,” she says.

She believes in helping others while still growing herself.

“I hold two qualifications, a diploma in entrepreneurship and new venture management, and an honours degree in business administration, hence my passion for business.

“I run a beauty business called s_natchedwaist_ which focuses on helping both genders, but especially women, to trim down their belly fat and acquire a flat tummy.”

https://www.namibian.com.na/107207/read/Rachel-reflects-on-Miss-Eco-Tourism-World-pageant-experience