Mr/Miss Deaf World 2017 pageant |24 March 2017

Nudge Joubert to represent Seychelles

Twenty-year-old Nudge Joubert will represent Seychelles this year at the Mr/Miss Deaf World pageant which will be held from July 11 to 19 in Prague, Czech Republic.

During the pageant final the contestants will parade in bathing suit, suit with bow tie and also traditional clothes.

They will also take part in three international fashion shows organised in three different cities in the Czech Republic.

Nudge lives on Praslin and is currently working in the agricultural field on one of his relatives’ farm.

Nudge, who likes watching movies and listening to music, said it was the chairperson of the Association of People with Hearing Impairment (Aphi) Anita Gardner who convinced him to take part in the pageant.

“I am excited and can't wait for my first travel. I will try my best there and make as many friends as possible. I want to make Praslin proud. I wish to thank my grandmother whom I have been living with since I was small. She is my greatest support and is always encouraging me. I am all set and ready,” said a delighted Nudge.

Mrs Gardner said Aphi is once again pleased to have a contestant from Praslin to represent Seychelles in the Mr/Miss Deaf World pageant.

In 2015 Melita Gilbert, a Praslinoise, represented Seychelles in the world pageant and also the same year in Miss Deaf Africa where she was crowned 2nd princess.

“Since 2015 Nudge has been on my list of potential contestants but he was timid before. Now I find that he has grown up to be a confident young man,” said Mrs Gardner.

“Some of his qualities that I appreciate are his great sense of humour and his easy going nature. I went to Praslin to do his photo shoot and he was every time willing to try all the costumes we brought without any complaints,” said Mrs Gardner, adding that this will make her job easy as she will be travelling with him to the pageant.

Nudge will be coming to Mahé twice a month beginning this April for grooming sessions and most importantly to learn sign language.

“We hope Nudge will do his best and make Seychelles proud and become a role model for his other compatriots,” Mrs Gardner said.

“We have already launched our fundraising activities for this event and we invite interested sponsors to contact us on Tel:2749791 or drop by our office in the Victoria Market.

I wish to thank all our past sponsors, the fund raising team of the association and Miss Deaf Seychelles 2009 Miss Shana David for all her support,” concluded Mrs Gardner.