Mariah Nepembe become famous as a model, appearing on billboards, and taking centre stage on the runway. She established herself among the top most recognised and in-demand runway models in Namibia.
Born on 4 October 1988, Mariah hails from Ondangwa in northern Namibia. She is a cheerful and petite young lady – 1.76 metres tall and weighing 51 kilograms. Maria is the ambassador for the Kiyola Media Group and the High Definition Hair Boutique. She is one of Namibia’s most influential people in the fashion and entertainment industry. She is also actively involved in several charities, where she donates clothing to the homeless, and acts as a mentor to young troubled girls and those with low self-esteem.
Maria is currently studying for a degree in Public Relations at the University of Namibia, where she recently completed a National Diploma.
Maria is a household name in the country. She has modelled for many of Namibia’s big fashion designers, such as Chakkira Claasen, Mc Bright Kavari, Kishwa, Amakeya, Modella, Nikola Conradie and David Tlale from South Africa. She has participated in beauty pageants such as Miss University Africa 2011 held in Bayelsa State Nigeria, where she was crowned 1st runner-up, and Miss Namibia 2012, where she made it into the top five finalists.
Maria dominates the runway of Namibia’s Biggest Fashion Show. In the past three years, she has acted in numerous music videos as leading lady. Since starting her part-time acting career in 2010, she has made no less than six music videos, including the two hit videos entitled: Dirty Kandeshi by DKP, and The Deception by The Dogg.
After Maria acted in various big music video the country has seen. The industry saw a shift and started respecting “video models” after she set the bar. Adored by many, Maria started creating a huge following for herself especially among st females trying to make it big in the challenging industry which was mainly dominated by men.
With high hopes and big dreams Maria landed herself the biggest Mc gig in the country as she became the first ever model to host the biggest awards show the country has to offer (NAMAs) cementing herself as a household name and a force to be reckoned with.
When you hear the word fashion in Namibia it’s impossible to not think Maria. She walked for some of the biggest fashion designers in Namibia and went on to grace catwalks across Africa from Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa to mention but a few.
In 2012 Maria Nepembe co-wrote and sang on the biggest campaign song to date in Namibia; For The Cause. The music video is still the most viewed campaign music video on YouTube from Namibia. The charity song raised awareness on issues like gender based violence, women & youth empowerment as well as Cancer.
2013 saw Maria’s biggest break after she was chosen as one of the housemate to rep Namibia in Africa’s biggest reality TV game show Big Brother Africa: The Chase which boasted over 45 million viewers across Africa and rest of the world. Making Maria an instant name across Africa.
Ripping her fruits from the reality game show. Maria in some block buster movies in Africa, with some getting air play on Africa Magic channels across Africa. She also landed herself an Mc gig on Ghana TV and appeared on several TV shows across Africa. She was also featured in some magazines.
Known to many as a style icon. Maria went on to become a fashion designer herself after launching her much anticipated clothing line RIA, making her the first Namibian Media Personality to have a full clothing line that’s also accessible to people outside the country.
Proving that she’s indeed the sweetheart, she surprisingly launched her own “Nepembe Foundation, to help feed the less fortunate expecially the young children.
Like they say: The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Maria was recently chosen to be the face of Olufuko Festival, the biggest traditional festival in the country expecially amongst the Oshiwambo people who are the majority tribe in Namibia. This important festival is pardoned by the Father of the Nation and Founding President of Namibia Dr Sam Nujoma.
Being one of the most followed personality in Namibia’ on social media, Maria is in a league of her own.
She visited Nigeria as a guest at the Miss University Africa 2013 event. Fans should also be on the lookout for Maria’s appearance in a soon-to-be-launched local TV reality show.
For bookings: +264 81 207 9507/ +264 81 219 9382
Email: info@kiyolamediagroup.com / maria@freshfm.com.na
Follow Maria on: http://www.facebook.com/MariaNepembe?fref=ts
