Zambezi to host Miss Namibia 2027

The Zambezi region has officially been announced as the host region for Miss Namibia 2027, marking a new chapter for Namibia’s national beauty and leadership platform.

The announcement was made on 8 October, following the successful hosting of Miss Namibia in Omaheke region earlier this year.

Zambezi governor Dorothy Kabula welcomed the opportunity, describing it as a significant honour and a platform through which the region can showcase its people, culture, tourism attractions, businesses and investment opportunities to Namibia and the world.

“Miss Namibia is much more than a beauty pageant. It is a prestigious national platform that brings Namibians together, celebrates our young women, showcases our diverse cultures and provides a national platform through which our country can tell its story to the world,” Kabula said.

“As we take over from Omaheke, we know that the standard has been set high. It will not be an easy task to outshine the work that you and the leadership of the Omaheke region have done. But we accept the challenge,” she said.

The hosting of Miss Namibia 2027 is expected to create opportunities to promote the Zambezi region as a tourism and investment destination, particularly through the national reach of the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) across television, radio and digital platforms.

Situated at the heart of the Kavango-Zambezi tourism landscape and sharing borders with Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, the region offers a unique backdrop for the national pageant.

Its rivers, wetlands, forests, wildlife, cultural heritage and communities provide opportunities for destination marketing and showcasing Namibia’s diversity.

The region is home to cultural traditions represented by communities including the Mafwe, Masubia, Mayeyi and Mashi, among others.

Through Miss Namibia 2027, these traditions and forms of cultural expression will have an opportunity to take centre stage on a national platform.

The region’s natural environment, including the Zambezi, Kwando, Chobe and Linyanti Rivers, together with its abundant wildlife and birdlife, further strengthens its potential as a destination for tourism, photography, film and creative productions.

National platform

For NBC, which acquired the Miss Namibia franchise in 2023, the pageant represents more than the celebration of beauty. It is also a platform for developing young Namibian women and creating opportunities for leadership, personal growth, national representation and social impact.

Speaking at the announcement, NBC vice chairperson of the board of directors, Oaitse Van Staden, emphasised the broader purpose behind the national platform.

“We believe that beauty, when combined with purpose, education, character and leadership, can become a powerful tool for positive change,” Van Staden said.

She further highlighted NBC’s vision of taking Miss Namibia to communities across the country.

“Our vision for Miss Namibia goes beyond Windhoek. We want this platform to belong to all Namibians, irrespective of where they come from. This is why we are taking Miss Namibia to different regions of our country,” she said.

The hosting of the 2027 edition is also expected to stimulate opportunities within the region’s creative and business sectors.

Young people involved in music, dance, fashion, performing arts, photography, videography, event management and beauty are expected to benefit from increased exposure and opportunities to participate in the pageant’s activities.

Local businesses, including accommodation establishments, restaurants, transport operators, caterers, designers, beauty professionals, event companies, photographers, videographers and other service providers, are likewise expected to benefit from increased economic activity associated with the pageant.

Join forces

Kabula called on the region’s private sector to actively participate in hosting the event.

“I therefore encourage our business community to see Miss Namibia 2027 not only as a sponsorship opportunity, but as an investment in our region, our young people, our creative sector, our tourism industry and our local economy,” she said.

The governor further committed the Zambezi regional leadership to working closely with NBC, traditional authorities, communities, businesses and other stakeholders in preparation for the 2027 event.

NBC director general Menesiah Muinjo welcomed the Zambezi region as the new host and emphasised the importance of collaboration in ensuring the continued growth and impact of the Miss Namibia platform.

Miss Namibia national director, Beaulah Beukes-Boois, also welcomed the partnership, noting that the pageant provides an opportunity to connect young Namibian women with communities across the country while promoting leadership, purpose, culture and national pride.

The Miss Namibia Organisation is proudly powered by NBC and Debmarine Namibia, with the platform continuing to position itself at the intersection of leadership, empowerment, national representation, culture and purpose.

With preparations for Miss Namibia 2027 now underway, the Zambezi region has formally accepted the challenge of hosting the next edition.

“We are ready to welcome Namibia. We are ready to welcome the contestants, the families, visitors, sponsors, partners and members of the media. And we are ready to welcome NBC to the Zambezi region,” Kabula said.

She further called on stakeholders to work together to showcase the region and the country.

“Let us work together. Let us showcase our culture. Let us showcase our tourism. Let us showcase our businesses. Let us showcase our young people. And, above all, let us showcase the beauty, diversity and unity of Namibia.”

With the Zambezi region preparing to welcome the Miss Namibia family, the countdown to Miss Namibia 2027 has officially begun.