Miss Namibia
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Miss Namibia is a national beauty pageant in Namibia. The winner represents Namibia at Miss Universe pageant.
The organization of Miss Namibia has produced one Miss Universe. Michelle McLean was crowned Miss Universe 1992, and became the first Namibian woman to win the title. McLean had been crowned Miss Namibia 1991 before Miss Universe, and also placed as the fourth runner-up at Miss World 1991. In addition, Umbi Karuaihe Upi has been the miss Namibia Chief Executive Officer for 35 years and she ended this career in 2026.
History
The first Miss Namibia contest was held in 1980 by Nic Kruger, the founder of the pageant. After that there are three national directors: Nic Kruger (1980–1996), Danie Botes (1997–1998) and Conny Maritz (1999–today). The first Miss Namibia was organised by the Afrikaans newspaper Die Republikein in 1980 and conducted by Nic Kruger, the founding director of the pageant. The winner Desèré Kotze was allowed to participate in the Miss Universe contest representing Namibia, but wore the South African flag. After that there are two further national directors: Nic Kruger (1980–1996), Danie Botes (1997–1998) and Conny Maritz (1999–today). According to the source from Glynis Fester (Miss RSA 1977)—the first Miss SWA-Namibia was Ann Parker who was crowned by her on 18 June 1977. This is on public record in the Rapport published on 19 June 1977. She did not go to any international pageants.
Titles
| Number of wins under Miss Namibia | |
|---|---|
| Pageant | Wins |
| Miss Universe | 1 |
| Miss World | 0 |
| Miss Earth | 0 |
| Miss Charm | 0 |
Note that the year designates the time Miss Namibia has acquired that particular pageant franchise.
Titleholders
| Year | Miss Namibia | Region |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Bernice Tembo | Khomas |
| 1981 | Antoinette Knoetze | Khomas |
| 1982 | Desere Kotze | Khomas |
| 1983 | Astrid Klotzch | Khomas |
| 1984 | Peta Harley-Peters | Khomas |
| 1985 | Alice Pfeiffer | Khomas |
| 1986 | Jo-Rina Meyer | Khomas |
| 1987 | Bianca Pragt | Khomas |
| 1988 | Caroline du Preez | Khomas |
| 1989 | Emsie Esterhuizen | Khomas |
| 1990 | Ronel Liebenberg | Khomas |
| 1991 | Michelle McLean Miss Universe 1992 | Khomas |
| 1992 | Anja Schroeder | Khomas |
| 1993 | Barbara Kahatjipara | Khomas |
| 1995 | Patricia Burt | Khomas |
| 1996 | Faghma Absalom | Khomas |
| 1997 | Sheya Shipanga | Khomas |
| 1998 | Retha Reinders | Khomas |
| 1999 | Vaanda Katjuongua | Khomas |
| 2000 | Mia de Klerk | Khomas |
| 2001 | Michelle Heita | Khomas |
| 2002 | Ndapewa Alfons | Khomas |
| 2003 | Petrina Thomas | Khomas |
| 2004 | Adele Basson | Khomas |
| 2005 | Leefa Shiikwa | Khomas |
| 2006 | Anna Svetlana Nashandi | Khomas |
| 2007 | Marichen Luiperth | Erongo |
| 2008 | Marelize Robberts | Khomas |
| 2009 | Happie Ntelamo | Zambezi |
| 2010 | Odile Gertze | Khomas |
| 2011 | Luzaan van Wyk | Khomas |
| 2012 | Tsakana Nkandih | Oshikoto |
| 2013 | Paulina Malulu | Khomas |
| 2014 | Brumhilda Ochs | Khomas |
| 2015 | Steffi Van Wyk[citation needed] | Khomas |
| 2016 | Lizelle Esterhuizen | Khomas |
| 2017 | Suné January | Hardap |
| 2018 | Selma Kamanya | Kavango East |
| 2019 | Nadja Breytenbach | Khomas |
| 2021 | Chelsi Shikongo | Erongo |
| 2022 | Cassia Sharpley | Khomas |
| 2023 | Jameela Uiras | Khomas |
| 2024 | Prisca Anyolo | Khomas |
| 2025 | Johanna Swartbooi | ǁKharas |
Wins by region
| Region | Titles | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Khomas | 36 | 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024 |
| Erongo | 2 | 2007, 2021 |
| Kavango East | 1 | 2018 |
| Hardap | 2017 | |
| Oshikoto | 2012 | |
| Zambezi | 2009 |
Titleholders under Miss Namibia org.
Miss Universe Namibia
- : Declared as Winner
- : Ended as runner-up or top 5/6 qualification
- : Ended as one of the finalists or semifinalists
- : Ended as special awards winner
The main winner of Miss Namibia represents her country at the Miss Universe. On occasion, when the winner does not qualify (due to age) for either contest, a runner-up is sent.
| Year | Region | Miss Namibia | Placement at Miss Universe | Special award(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conny Maritz directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Universe from 1999 | |||||
| 2025 | ǁKharas | Johanna Swartbooi | Unplaced | ||
| 2024 | Khomas | Prisca Anyolo | Unplaced | ||
| 2023 | Khomas | Jameela Uiras | Top 20 | ||
| 2022 | Khomas | Cassia Sharpley | Unplaced | ||
| 2021 | Walvis Bay | Chelsi Shikongo | Unplaced | As it turns out, Shikongo was named after the late American actress Chelsi Smith, who was crowned Miss Universe 1995. | |
| Due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, no representative in 2020 | |||||
| 2019 | Khomas | Nadja Breytenbach | Unplaced | ||
| 2018 | Kavango East | Selma Kamanya | Unplaced | ||
| 2017 | Hardap | Suné January | Unplaced | ||
| 2016 | Khomas | Lizelle Esterhuizen | Unplaced | ||
| Did not compete between 2014—2015 | |||||
| 2013 | Khomas | Paulina Malulu | Unplaced | Before naming as Miss Namibia, Paulina was "Miss International Namibia 2012" and represented Namibia at Miss International 2012 where she made the Top 15 semi-finalists in Okinawa, Japan. | |
| 2012 | Oshikoto | Tsakana Nkandih | Unplaced | ||
| Did not compete between 2010—2011 | |||||
| 2009 | Zambezi | Happie Ntelamo | Unplaced | ||
| Did not compete between 2007—2008 | |||||
| 2006 | Khomas | Anna Svetlana Nashandi | Unplaced | ||
| 2005 | Khomas | Adele Basson | Unplaced | ||
| Did not compete in 2004 | |||||
| 2003 | Khomas | Ndapewa Alfons | Top 10 | ||
| 2002 | Khomas | Michelle Heita | Unplaced | ||
| Did not compete in 2001 | |||||
| 2000 | Khomas | Mia de Klerk | Unplaced | ||
| 1999 | Khomas | Vaanda Katjuongua | Unplaced | ||
| Danie Botes directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Universe between 1997―1998 | |||||
| 1998 | Khomas | Retha Reinders | Unplaced | ||
| 1997 | Khomas | Sheya Shipanga | Unplaced | ||
| Nic Kruger directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Universe between 1981―1996 | |||||
| 1996 | Khomas | Faghma Absalom | Unplaced | ||
| 1995 | Khomas | Patricia Burt | Unplaced | Namibia became the official venue of the Miss Universe 1995 competition. | |
| 1994 | Khomas | Barbara Kahatjipara | Unplaced | Miss Congeniality | |
| 1993 | Khomas | Anja Schroeder | Unplaced | ||
| 1992 | Khomas | Michelle McLean | Miss Universe 1992 | ||
| 1991 | Khomas | Ronel Liebenberg | Unplaced | ||
| Did not compete between 1985—1990 | |||||
| 1984 | Khomas | Peta Harley-Peters | Unplaced | ||
| 1983 | Khomas | Astrid Klotzch | Unplaced | ||
| 1982 | Khomas | Desere Kotze | Unplaced | ||
| 1981 | Khomas | Antoinette Knoetze | Unplaced |
Miss World Namibia
- : Declared as Winner
- : Ended as runner-up or top 5/6 qualification
- : Ended as one of the finalists or semifinalists
- : Ended as special awards winner
The runner-up of Miss Namibia will select as Miss World Namibia title. In some years the main winner also selected to Miss World before 2021.
| Year | Region | Miss World Namibia | Placement at Miss World | Special award(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miss World Namibia directorship — a franchise holder to Miss World from 2025 | |||||
| 2026 | Ohangwena | Elly Penomwene Aron | TBA | TBA | |
| 2025 | Kavango East | Selma Kamanya | Top 8 | Head to Head Challenge (Top 8) | Previously Miss Namibia 2018 |
| Conny Maritz directorship — a franchise holder to Miss World between 1999−2023 | |||||
| Miss World 2023 was rescheduled to 2024 due to the change of host and when entering India as the new host, there were several issues that caused the postponement until March 2024. | |||||
| 2023 | Erongo | Leoné van Jaarsveld | Unplaced | 1st Runner-Up of Miss Namibia 2022 | |
| Miss World 2021 was rescheduled to 16 March 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in Puerto Rico, no edition started in 2022. | |||||
| 2021 | Kunene | Annerie Maré | Unplaced | 1st Runner-Up of Miss Namibia 2021 | |
| Did not compete between 2016—2020 | |||||
| 2015 | Khomas | Steffi Van Wyk | Unplaced | Miss World Sport | |
| 2014 | Khomas | Brumhilda Ochs | Unplaced | Miss World Top Model (Top 20) | |
| 2013 | Khomas | Paulina Malulu | Unplaced | ||
| Did not compete in 2012 | |||||
| 2011 | Khomas | Luzaan van Wyk | Unplaced | ||
| 2010 | Khomas | Odile Gertze | Top 25 | ||
| 2009 | Zambezi | Happie Ntelamo | Unplaced | Miss World Beach Beauty (Top 20) | |
| 2008 | Khomas | Marelize Robberts | Unplaced | Miss World Top Model (Top 32) | |
| 2007 | Erongo | Marichen Luiperth | Unplaced | ||
| 2006 | Khomas | Anna Svetlana Nashandi | Top 17 | ||
| 2005 | Khomas | Leefa Shiikwa | Unplaced | ||
| 2004 | Khomas | Adele Basson | Unplaced | ||
| 2003 | Khomas | Petrina Thomas | Unplaced | ||
| 2002 | Khomas | Ndapewa Alfons | Unplaced | ||
| 2001 | Khomas | Michelle Heita | Unplaced | ||
| 2000 | Khomas | Mia de Klerk | Unplaced | ||
| Danie Botes directorship — a franchise holder to Miss World between 1997―1998 | |||||
| Did not compete between 1998—1999 | |||||
| 1997 | Khomas | Sheya Shipanga | Unplaced | ||
| Nic Kruger directorship — a franchise holder to Miss World between 1989―1993 | |||||
| Did not compete between 1994—1996 | |||||
| 1993 | Khomas | Barbara Kahatjipara | Unplaced | ||
| 1992 | Khomas | Anja Schroeder | Unplaced | ||
| 1991 | Khomas | Michelle McLean | Top 5 | Later, McLean won Miss Universe 1992 in Bangkok, Thailand. | |
| 1990 | Khomas | Ronel Liebenberg | Unplaced | ||
| 1989 | Khomas | Emsie Esterhuizen | Unplaced |
Miss Earth Namibia
- : Declared as Winner
- : Ended as runner-up or top 5/6 qualification
- : Ended as one of the finalists or semifinalists
- : Ended as special awards winner
Began 2022 the organization of Miss Namibia is an official national franchise holder for Miss Earth. One of the runners-up at Miss Namibia will go to Miss Earth pageant.
| Year | Region | Miss Earth Namibia | Placement at Miss Earth | Special award(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conny Maritz directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Earth from 2022 | |||||
| 2025 | Omaheke | Ndeshipewa Angula | Top 25 | Best Bikini (Africa) | Contestant of Miss Namibia 2025 |
| 2024 | Khomas | Albertina Haimbala | Top 12 | 1st Runner-Up of Miss Namibia 2023 | |
| 2023 | Ohangwena | Martha Kautanevali | Unplaced | 2nd Runner-Up of Miss Namibia 2023 | |
| 2022 | Khomas | Diana Andimba | Top 20 | Best Eco Video (Africa) | 2nd Runner-Up of Miss Namibia 2022 |
Miss Charm Namibia
- : Declared as Winner
- : Ended as runner-up or top 5/6 qualification
- : Ended as one of the finalists or semifinalists
- : Ended as special awards winner
Began 2024 the organization of Miss Namibia is an official national franchise holder for Miss Charm. One of the runners-up or finalists at Miss Namibia will go to Miss Charm pageant.
| Year | Miss Charm Namibia | Placement | Special award(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bobby Kaanjosa directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Charm from 2024 | ||||
| 2025 | Alica Mokhatu | TBA | TBA | Top 10 finalists at Miss Namibia 2025 |
| 2024 | Georgia Garises | Top 10 | — | 2nd Runner-Up of Miss Namibia 2024 |