The Story of A Pageant Queen

She dreams of seeing the world and to introduce people to the God who loves her, Ellison Benade is from a small town called Rehoboth in Namibia. She has hopes to show the world what faith can do.

Ellison has been working hard to spread her Love for Christ and to share it with everyone around her. Last year Ellison took part in the Miss Rehoboth pageant and won the title. She says that through her title she hopes to reach out to other young people.

During the course of the year, she used this title to make a difference in her community and to inspire the young people of her hometown.

“I want to use my title as a way to draw young people back to God,” she says.

Ellison has spent her whole life in Rehoboth, raised by her mother and grandparents and completing her secondary education at Dr Lemmer High School.

“I have lived my whole life in Rehoboth. It is a small town, but with a warm heart that makes it difficult to leave. I grew up with my brother and we are inseparable,” she says. “At the moment I live with my grandmother and brother. My grandmother is my hero and my rock,” she says.

According to Ellison, her favourite childhood memories are her trips to the farm with her cousins, brother and grandparents.

“My grandfather would always make the day memorable by doing something funny,” she says.

She never really dreamt about participating in pageants, only taking part in on other pageant in her primary school years.

As a child she dreamed about becoming a doctor. “My cousin and I wanted to open a hospital to build a family legacy,” she says, but adds that her dreams have changed over the years. “Now I want to become a flight attendant. I want to see the world and gain more experience. I want to learn from different cultures and I am still holding onto that dream,” Ellison says.

Although she took part in the Miss Rehoboth pageant, modelling is not really what she wants to do. “Actually, I never even planned on taking part, because generally this kind of thing is not for me!”

However, she took the plunge to see where things would go.

During the course of the pageant, she says that she made many friends. “Even though we fought along the way, it also drew us closer together.

“Initially I was afraid to take on this kind of leadership role, but with time I learned to understand what it feels like when someone looks up to you and you have to set an example. If you want to see change, you have to be the change.”

The title has opened doors for her to become a public speaker, which provides the perfect opportunity to spread the Gospel. Along with that she has especially been using her position to work with the youth of Rehoboth.

“I can truly say God has used me in ways that have shaped me as a person,” Ellison says.

Having gained more confidence, she now speaks freely about her faith and she hopes to continue doing so.

She says her heart goes out to the youth. “At the moment I am working with our young girls aged 14 and up whom have suffered sexual abuse or have experienced other tragedies. Those who I haven't had contact with, can feel free to contact me if they need to or have the urge to spend time with me experiencing the word of God.”

Ellison says she sits down with them to show them that they are loved and that they are important.

She is also planning on hosting a self-defence class for ladies and she has been working with government constituencies to sign off a bill for access to information.

“People in certain communities do not know most of their rights. This is mainly due to a lack of information and they continue to suffer because of it. This group wants to share the importance of an access to information law for you as an individual,” Ellison says.

She says she has to keep herself motivated to keep doing what she needs to.

Her biggest motivation is God and her family, including her spiritual family.

“I spend a lot of time with God. The moment you silence yourself before God, you can just listen to Him, hear and understand what He wants you to do. If I ever feel down, I just remember that He loves me. My family and spiritual family play a big part in my growth. They keep me in shape and accountable,” she says.

Ellison had big shoes to fill and she hopes her successor will continue uplifting the youth when she hands over the crown to the next winner.

“I'd really like to encourage other girls to take on pageantry, because everything around you influences who you become in the future.

“What you feed your mind will shape your future. Commit to feeding your mind with successful thoughts and surround yourself with those who have the same ambitions,” Ellison says.

Anyone can contact her via Facebook if there is anything they want to talk about.

“In the mean time I dare you to trust that God loves you just the way you are, and not as you or other people think you should be.