Miss World Namibia, Selma Kamanya, has unveiled a new initiative at a fundraising event under the umbrella of the InnoNation Foundation: the Global Namibia 1 Project.

It is a national movement focused on tourism and trade, youth empowerment, innovation, and global connectivity.

Speaking at a fundraising event for the project, Kamanya emphasised that "our greatest asset is our people, the youth."

She highlighted the economic value of tourism beyond luxury, citing its contribution to the country's GDP and job creation.

The reigning Miss World Namibia underlined that pageantry is about more than just beauty; it is a platform for leadership and social impact. 

She said the initiative to be launched next month will connect Namibian youth with international opportunities in tourism, oil and gas, green solutions, and technology.

Other areas the programme will focus on are "1. Opportunities for our youth, which are characterised by access to global platforms for entrepreneurship, education and leadership. 2. Empowerment programmes, skills, training and technology, green energy, agriculture and creative industries. 3. Global connectivity, creating bridges between Namibian talent and international markets, investors and knowledge networks. 4. Innovation and investment, building hubs where ideas turn into businesses, where dreams become jobs and where passion fuels prosperity." 

The Executive Director of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, Lydia Indombo, representing Minister Emma Kantema, praised the project for aligning with the ministry's mandate of advancing women and youth.

"It should be clear that if we are to achieve our national development goals, we must create more opportunities for young people to lead, to innovate and to represent Namibia as a global platform. We must grab all available opportunities in the global markets. Selma's initiatives prove what happens when we trust a young person with responsibility, not just a young person, but Namibian women. They do wonders; they do exceed our expectations, and we have many of those examples for Namibian people."

The Global Namibia 1 Project is built on key pillars including youth empowerment through arts and advocacy, innovation in technology, food security through garden projects, and mental health awareness. 

Lloyd Sikeba, a representative of the InnoNation Foundation, said, "Your investment in this vision is not only an investment in Selma, it is an investment in Namibia, in our youth, in our culture, and in the international reputation of our great mighty nation."