Zorena Jantze
PRISCA Anyolo, the 28-year-old Namibian woman crowned Miss Namibia 2024 over the past weekend, effortlessly articulates her thoughts. Eloquently spoken, the young woman who majored in journalism and media technologies charmed judges and audiences alike in the quaint coastal town of Lüderitz.
In a Q&A with informanté’, Anyolo shared her journey, from walking the dusty streets of Okahao to aspirations of eliminating hunger in her drought-stricken homeland.
Q: Who is Prisca Anyolo, tell us a bit about yourself?
A: Prisca Anyolo is a 28-year-old young ambitious woman that’s born in Windhoek and raised in Okahao by her grandparents. I grew up in the village with my grandparents, where I then moved to Windhoek to start my schooling career. I am privileged to be raised by both my grandparents and parents, who are so loving and supportive, and are the reason I have such a profound respect and appreciation for family orientation. I hold a degree in Journalism & Media Technologies, and I currently work at Namboer Auctioneers as a Social Media Marketer.
Q: What inspired you to enter the world of pageantry?
A: I was a very shy and quiet person growing up. I would stay by myself and enjoyed my own company, but I used to enjoy watching Miss Namibia and with time my mom realized that I had a passion for the modelling world, and registered me for my very first pageant, and that’s how my journey started. Pageants are indeed a powerful platform that allows delegates to voice their opinions about global issues.
Q: What was your favourite moment during the pageant competition?
A: I would say the moment I submitted my entry documents because I knew that this was something I have always wanted, and now that I am back I knew I had done my homework.
Q: What cause or platform are you passionate about promoting as a national pageant queen?
A: Poverty eradication and food security, as this is a global issue that affects all demographics of the world, especially Namibians where over 30% are currently facing multidimensional poverty in impoverished communities. I aim to advocate for this issue till we create and see tangible change.
Q: What personal values do you hold most dear, and how do they influence your role as a pageant queen?
A: Being resilient, focused, and faithful. These values have helped me to remain true to myself throughout this pageant, and will continue to guide me and shape me into being an effective queen that can handle anything thrown at me.
Q: What legacy do you hope to leave behind in the pageant community?
A: Firstly, I want each and every Namibian woman, child, and man to know that I have carried out my role with compassion, kindness, poise, and intentional impact. Furthermore, I want to leave a tangible legacy behind that encourages and pushes Namibians to fully embrace sustainable development in all facets of their life.
Q: What is your favourite book or movie and why does it resonate with you?
A: “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho is my absolute favourite book of all time. It resonates deeply with me because that is where I learned that the treasure you’ve been searching for your entire life has always been within you, and in your own land, this whole time. I finally got to find my treasure of my crown right here in Namibia.
Q: What hobbies or activities do you enjoy in your free time?
A: I truly enjoy restaurant hopping because I am passionate about our diverse cultures and traditional food, that’s the best delicacies one can indulge in, in my opinion. I also enjoy traveling as it expands my horizon and thinking by meeting different people through my travels and appreciating the absolute beauty that our world has to offer.
