Staff Reporter
20 September 2005
Windhoek — A DAZZLING array of lingerie designs, textures and colours swept the mood at a local resort in Windhoek last week as South African and Namibia's own models cat-walked the stage for the sake of children.
The children expected to benefit from proceeds from the lingerie show are those from the northern regions who walk long distances to school.
The lingerie show, hosted by Namibia's own beauty pride, Miss Universe 1992 Michelle McLean through her children's trust introduced the COOL project in an effort to empower every school-going child in the northern rural areas with a bicycle. This would stop learners from covering long distances on foot.
The COOL and abbreviation for "cycle to school" project aims at providing at least 4 000 high quality bicycles, designed especially for rough terrain, to make things easier for rural children who walk vast distances to school every day.
Secretary to President Hifikepunye Pohamba Dr Ndeutala Angoloh and Phillip Ellis, the principal partner of Ellis and Partners Legal Practitioners established the project in December 2004.
According to McLean, the Board of Trustees of the Michelle McLean Children Trust joined hands with the parties involved and became part of the project. The trust therefore donated 85 bicycles. These bicycles have been purchased from a German-based company, Schauff at a cost of N$50 000.
McLean during this black-tie event indicated that walking long distances to school discourages children and keeps them away from school.
Every bicycle given to a learner would have a serial number for easy identification.
A radiant McLean said: "This is a celebration of a brighter future. To sustain this, there is need to raise funds." And thus in order to support this project, the Michelle McLean Children's Trust decided to raise funds by presenting a Lingerie Fashion Show.
Once the learner completes his or her studies, the bicycle would then be handed down to another learner.
The bicycles will be manufactured by SCHAUFF at its factory in Remagen, Germany and Air Namibia will transport them to Windhoek.
The manufacturing company also donated 50 bicycles, which are quality and thorn proof.
During the same evening, the Australian High Commission to Namibia contributed N$30 000 towards the project. The project is also a beneficiary to Australia's N$375 million that it contributes to strategically targeted aid focused on Southern and Eastern Africa.
Representative from the Australian High Commission in South Africa, Rebecca Barton said during the event that, "To maximise impact, Australia is focusing on promoting good governance by strengthening basic service delivery, responding to humanitarian needs, especially where linked to food security and conflict and fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS."
The lingerie show that lasted for almost an hour left the audience stunned or rather tongue-tied as French, Brazilian, African designed thongs and sexy panties among other designs, were just too hot for some in attendance.
Confidently speaking, Namibian young model Maria Hiwilepo told New Era that lingerie today is meant to be sensual, elegant, feminine, and exciting. With this in mind, the show presented much more than just an ordinary collection of underwear.
"These are most intimate clothes that can make you feel confident and powerful, develop your identity and sexuality and most of all, design your silhouette."
Another model who did not want to be named but is South African-based indicated that it is now time women also wore that what makes them feel comfortable and in control.
"Indeed, these are underwear that enhance one's voluptuous curves, they help a woman discover or find the perfect fit she has always been looking for."
The lingerie designs suited everyone's taste, starting from sexy, fun, raunchy, sophisticated to simply plain.
Since the founding of the Michelle McLean Children Trust in 1992, the trust has grown from strength to strength in achieving its main objective of supporting and uplifting the needy children of Namibia, by providing welfare, financial and material assistance.
This unique show was one of its kind in Namibia's modelling history and Connie Maritz, owner of Extravaganza Models, did the production.
Organisers could not indicate how much was raised that night.
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