Former Miss Namibia Michelle McLean heartbroken about Nujoma’s death

I am heartbroken about the passing of our Dearest Founding Father of Namibia, “The Land of the Brave” His Excellency President Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma, and how brave and courageous he always was!

His legacy as a visionary leader and steadfast champion of Namibia’s Independence will forever be etched in the hearts of all Namibians, Africa and the world.

His exemplary leadership, tireless efforts in shaping the nation, and his remarkable dedication to justice and freedom inspire all.

In 1992, when I founded the Michelle McLean Children Trust after winning the coveted title of Miss Universe for Namibia, His Excellency Dr Sam Nujoma agreed to be the Patron of the Michelle McLean Children Trust.

These past 34 years, I’ve worked side-by-side with him on many projects to educate children and support underserved communities throughout Namibia.

One of the programs of the Michelle McLean Children Trust that is close to my heart was the Cool Project; he travelled up north to Namibia with me to deliver rough terrain bicycles to children in remote areas who had to walk to schools a very far distance from their homesteads and villages.

This project encouraged hundreds of students to attend schools in these remote areas.

This we were able to do through a very generous donation by Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt when they had their baby Shiloh in Namibia in 2005.

Dr. Sam also opened the Michelle McLean Primary School in Ojomuise, in Windhoek in 2000, which today, with the help of the Ministry of Education, supports over 1300 learners every year.

I will be eternally grateful for his mentorship, guidance, and compassion in all the good work we have done and his love for us, his Namibian children!

He never saw my title in pageantry as just an insignificant beauty achievement; he encouraged me to become a global ambassador for Namibia over three decades.

Through his mentorship and support, the MMCT and I raised millions of Namibian dollars for community support and education, initiating thousands of projects throughout Namibia that have hugely impacted economic development and upliftment of communities throughout the country.

Dr Sam was instrumental in guiding me as a global consultant in investment and tourism for Namibia.

(When we brought the Miss Universe pageant to Namibia in 1995 as the host country, we raised tourism interest and investment in Namibia, which hugely boosted the economy.

He backed me in initiating and coordinating the Miss Universe pageant in 1995 to benefit Namibia by marketing our country internationally soon after Independence.)

He saw my titles, first as Miss Namibia 1991 and then as Miss Universe 1992, as an opportunity for me to go out into the world as a global ambassador for Namibia, promoting our beautiful country and its political and economic stability.

With his support, mentorship and guidance over the years, I can promote Namibia and our people by engaging internationally as a consultant and global goodwill ambassador for Namibia’s excellent investment, tourism, and unrivalled conservation opportunities.

I am an example of a woman destined to be a beauty queen. Still, through His Excellency Dr Sam’s guidance, I have contributed to uplifting underserved communities and education for children throughout Namibia since 1992.

As a title holder representing Namibia, I know it takes hard work, dedication, and commitment.

I remain committed to my promise to Namibia when I won Miss Universe.

“The last question to the three top title holders was, what would you do if you were a leader of your country tomorrow?”

My answer was, “I would look after the children, as they are the future of every nation!”

I am humbled and grateful to say I could stay committed to this promise with my passion and conviction for Namibia and its beautiful people because of H.E Sam Nujoma’s Patronage of the Michelle McLean Children Trust.

I will be forever grateful to our Founding Father.

*Michelle McLean was Miss Namibia 1991 and the 1995 Miss Universe and the founder of the Michell McLean Children’s Trust