Miss Face of Namibia grand finale tonight

Miss Face of Namibia celebrates its 10th anniversary tonight with a glittering grand finale to crown its next queen, marking a decade of empowering young women and opening doors to new global opportunities for its contestants.

The pageant, which announced its top 16 contestants on 19 September, recently hosted a creative costume showcase, giving the finalists an opportunity to display their creativity and individuality ahead of the grand finale.

The anniversary celebrations also doubled as a sashing ceremony, where pageant patron Tuyeni Hipunya announced that the organisation had acquired two international licences, Miss Earth and Miss Planet International.

The development is expected to open doors for Namibian contestants to compete on international stages, gain exposure and connect with opportunities beyond the country's borders.

A decade of growth

Since its establishment, Miss Face of Namibia has positioned itself as more than a traditional beauty pageant, focusing on women's empowerment, personal development, confidence-building and leadership.

What began as a small pageant in Rehoboth has grown into a national platform attracting contestants from different parts of the country.

Founder Marchell Coetzee said the 10-year milestone reflects the growth of the organisation and its commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for young women.

“The crown is only one part of the journey. The greater purpose is to provide young women with an environment in which they can develop themselves, build confidence, learn professionalism, engage with communities and prepare themselves for opportunities beyond the competition,” he said.

Looking ahead, the organisation aims to continue developing Face of Namibia into a stronger, more professional and impactful national platform. Beyond the glamour and competition, this year's finalists have also identified social issues close to their hearts, with their individual advocacies reflecting a commitment to making a difference in their communities.

Finalists’ advocacy goals

Finalist Anthea Diergaardt. is passionate about standing up for young children and advocating for their mental health, while another finalist, Faadilah Williams, believes that embracing differences is key to helping individuals recognise their uniqueness and potential. “If you believe hard enough, you will make it,” Williams said.

She also hopes to help young people in rural areas access opportunities and platforms for self-development.

“This is a platform to serve, inspire and make a positive impact in my community,” Williams said.

Finalist Maure-Sheila Beukes, meanwhile, believes that challenges play an important role in shaping individuals into better versions of themselves.

Her advocacy focuses on educating and empowering young people. Lawrencia Nawemas is also passionate about creating opportunities for learners from rural communities, advocating for their empowerment and encouraging them to reach their full potential without being limited by their backgrounds.

Tonight's grand finale will not only see contestants compete for the Miss Face of Namibia 2026 crown, but the winner will also represent Namibia at the Miss Planet International competition in Cambodia later this year, while the country's representative for Miss Earth will be announced at the conclusion of the 2027 pageant.

“We urge everyone to please come and support us for our grand finale on 7 November,” the organisers said.

The pageant starts at 18:00.