Gavin Mouka Vries

With brunette hair extensions and dressed in black jeans and a spaghetti top in his entry picture, anybody will have to take a second look before drawing the conclusion that Vries is in fact a man.
On his application form, which he submitted to the Republikein offices in Oshakati last week, Vries wrote that his aim in life was “to be the new Miss Namibia”.
 “A lot of people think I’m joking, but I’m serious… I want to be this year’s Miss Namibia,” says Vries.
Weighing in at 55 kilograms, and 1.77 metres tall, Vries cited his hobbies as singing, dancing, reading and socialising.
Since coming out of the closet during his years in high school, Vries claims he has participated in three beauty pageants, including Miss Mayvis – a competition for both women and gay men.
“I was crowned first princess in Miss Mayvis, and since then, I’ve always wanted to enter for Miss Namibia, and I believe now is my time,” he says.
Although the rules stipulated on the entry form say nothing about men entering the annual beauty pageant, the fact that the crown has been taken by women every years is enough to put an end to the debate that the competition is exclusively for women.
That fact has, however, not discouraged Vries from making his dreams a reality.
“This is the only opportunity I have. I know I will be a good ambassador to my country if I’m crowned as the next Miss Namibia,” says Vries.
The Republikein offices in Oshakati confirmed receiving Vries’ entry form, but claimed it was not forwarded to Windhoek because it was handed in after the deadline.
The deadline for the competition was last week Thursday, May 15 at 12h00.