Poverty Doesn't Kill Dreams… This Does | Tina Haimbala — Miss Earth Namibia, Top 12 Miss Earth 2024

"It's not poverty that kills a child's dream. It's the lack of genuine support." Tina Haimbala said those words and she lived them. Albertina "Tina" Haimbala is Miss Earth Namibia 2023, a top 12 finalist at Miss Earth 2024 in Manila, a Miss Namibia 2023 first runner-up, and the founder of the Haimbala Foundation — an organisation she built to fight for children with disabilities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds, inspired by her own two differently-abled sisters. In this conversation, Tina goes beyond the crown and the stage. In this episode: → Where she came from and what her upbringing really looked like → Why she believes poverty isn't what stops most Namibians — and what actually does → The moment she decided to compete for Miss Namibia and what drove her back → Building the Haimbala Foundation — why disability advocacy became her purpose → What representing Namibia at Miss Earth in the Philippines taught her about herself → Her message to young Namibians who feel like the odds are against them → Why she describes Miss Namibia as a "microphone competition" — and why she's back for 2026 This is one of the most honest conversations we've had on Sharefest. If you've ever been told your background limits your ceiling — watch this. Follow Tina Haimbala: Instagram → @tina_haimbala Follow Sharefest Podcast: Instagram → @sharefestpodcast TikTok → @sharefest_podcast LinkedIn → Nathan Dasneves 📌 Subscribe for weekly conversations with Namibia's most remarkable builders, leaders, and changemakers. #TinaHaimbala #MissNamibia #MissEarthNamibia #SharefestPodcast #NamibiaPodcast #HaimbalaFoundation #Namibia #NamibiaWomen #AfricanWomen #NamibiaInspiration #WomenInLeadership #NamibiaYouth #DreamsNamibia #Windhoek #MissEarth2024 0:00 - Introduction 0:30 - Tina’s background and where she comes from 2:15 - Being the first Amy Bell Charities scholarship recipient in Namibia 4:30 - Growing up in a safari lodge with her family 6:00 - What people don’t see behind the glamour of pageantry 7:30 - Why she entered Miss Namibia the first time 8:45 - What “potential released too early” really means 10:00 - First runner up at Miss Namibia 2023 11:30 - Her Miss Earth Namibia 2024 experience in the Philippines 13:00 - Placing Namibia in the top 12 at Miss Earth 14:15 - Her charity foundation and why she started it 16:30 - The orphanage visit in Oshakati that changed everything 18:00 - Her sisters living with disabilities and what drives her 20:00 - Faith, family and what keeps her motivated 22:00 - Her goals for Miss Namibia 2026 23:15 - What she does for fun 24:30 - Hidden talents art, drums and singing 26:00 - Advice for young girls following her footsteps 27:00 - Where to find Tina online