The Architect of Change: Selma Kamanya's Pageant Reformation

Selma Kamanya's beauty pageant journey is nothing short of extraordinary. This Namibian beauty has consistently defied expectations, making history and challenging norms since her initial crowning as Miss Namibia in 2018.

Though pageants were never her childhood dream, Selma, encouraged by friends and family, took a chance on the nation's biggest title. This bold step led to her triumphant crowning on July 7, 2018. A natural talent, Selma clinched her first and biggest title on her very first attempt, securing her a spot at the Miss Universe pageant in Thailand that December.

A qualified Economist and real estate professional, Selma embodies the cliché "beauty with brains." Despite years in the limelight, she remains grounded, attributing her success to God's grace. "I encapsulate my entire experience as God’s Grace. Through and through," she shares. "From the Top 8 to the Miss World Africa title. I wanted my journey to be characterised by lessons of every step I’ve taken on this journey, from the challenges of my earlier reign to the woman I’ve become today."

Her recent accomplishments at Miss World 2025 truly mark a remarkable "recrowning." Representing Namibia in Telangana, India, Selma achieved significant global recognition. She not only secured the prestigious Miss World Top Model Africa title, guaranteeing her a spot in the Top 40, but also showcased her continued grace and stage presence by ultimately placing in the Top 8 overall at the competition. This outstanding performance on the world stage has undeniably reaffirmed her status as one of Namibia's most successful titleholders and a profound source of national pride.

Building blocks for a career in advocacy

Since relinquishing her crown in 2019, Selma has quietly worked on building her brand and building the foundations of her outreach work. An empath who believes in the power of using her platform to create awareness towards social issues, Selma champions various causes, including mental health awareness. As a volunteer for many years, the pinnacle of her grassroots outreach includes the unveiling of a hydroponics urban farming unit at a local orphanage in partnership with Agribank. She’s the proud founder of InnoNation Foundation, which focuses on providing sustainable gardening solutions and mental wellbeing programmes for vulnerable communities.

Reclaiming her space

Seven years after her Miss Namibia win, Selma returned to the pageant world through the 2025 Miss World event. Selma notes that the decision to take this step was rooted in her growth and the work she’d done since her last soirée. “Returning to the pageant world seven years after being crowned Miss Namibia 2018 was not a decision I took lightly—it was deeply personal and rooted in growth, healing, and a renewed sense of purpose,” she says.

Not only was she young in 2018, she says, but although she had potential, she was disadvantaged by the reality of representing her nation without support. “It was a challenging time, and I’ve been honest about the disappointment I felt—not just in outcomes, but in how that experience impacted my confidence and vision. But instead of letting that chapter define me, I chose to learn from it,” she laments.

“Over the years, I’ve worked on myself—emotionally, spiritually, mentally and professionally. I’ve had time to rebuild, to discover who I am beyond the crown, and to understand the kind of impact I want to have,” Selma adds.

Her biggest inspiration to take on the Miss World stage, she says, was the desire to give — this time with clarity, resilience, and intention. “I didn’t come back for validation; I came back to take up space for all the right reasons,” she says.

On Speaking her truth and Healing

Following her experience as Miss Namibia 2018, Selma dropped a bombshell at the end of her reign, speaking out on what she claimed to be a lack of support from the pageant organising body to carry out her reign. She became the first title holder to do so, proving that apart from her brains and beauty, this beauty queen also packs enough guts.

Speaking on how she was able to move on from the experience, “Speaking openly about the challenges I’ve faced wasn’t easy, but it was necessary for my healing—and the sake of honesty in an industry that often values perfection over humanity. In many ways, those past challenges gave me the clarity and strength I needed to walk this path differently. They reminded me that representation isn’t just about wearing a crown—it’s about carrying your story, your community, and your truth with courage. And that’s exactly what I tried to bring to my Miss World journey.”

Standing tall above the rest

Selma’s years of dedication culminated in an impressive showing at the Miss World 2025 pageant. Competing against 108 international participants, Selma stood out.

Selma expressed surprise at her success. "Winning the Top Model Africa title was truly unexpected, but a pleasant surprise," she noted. "It went far beyond just walking the runway. I focused on aligning my physical presence with a strong sense of purpose and cultural identity."

Returning to the global stage was about more than just competition. She aimed to demonstrate that "growth is powerful, that setbacks can be a set-up for something greater," and that she could "lead, represent, and inspire from a place of wholeness." She emphasised, "Returning to the stage was my way of reclaiming the narrative — not just for myself, but for every young woman who's ever felt like one moment of disappointment defines their worth.”

Family first

Even though she faced challenges in her first experience as a Namibian title holder, this time around was different. Selma was anchored by the support of her community, mentors, her spirituality and her family, who’ve been her biggest supporters from day one.

“My family has been my anchor. They’ve seen me at my highest and lowest, and their unwavering belief in me has kept me grounded,” she says. It was her mom’s prayers and words of encouragement, her dad’s unconditional love and support and her brother’s quiet presence as an emotional support pillar which kept her going. Support came from all corners of Namibia, and globally too. Namibians across the country and the diaspora rooted for the Namibian beauty every step of her journey, a commaradie that connected Namibians from all walks of life.

Beyond the Crown

Selma Kamanya is now focused on leveraging her Miss World success to amplify her advocacy work. This has always been the ultimate goal for the driven queen. She advises aspiring beauty queens to prioritise their purpose: "Step into this space with clarity, courage, and a strong sense of self — because the crown alone doesn't define you. Your voice, your values, and your 'why' will always matter more than the spotlight."

Rukee Kaakunga