Namibia will be represented at the Miss World 2016 pageant by Lizelle Esthuizen, a leggy 20 year old beauty who hails from the capital city of Windhoek. The event concluded late evening of July 9 at the Windhoek Country Club. Andeline Wieland from Swakopmund is the first runner-up while Varaakuani Hambira from Gobabis is the second runner-up.
The finals night saw 12 women competing for the title and the makeup of the finalists reflects the multicultural Namibia. While it has predominantly black population, Namibia was once a German colony and was later administered by South Africa’s apartheid regime. There is still around 100, 000 whites in Namibia.
The the winner, Lizelle Esthuizen will represent Namibia at the Miss World 2016 pageant which is slated to be held in Washington D.C. on December 20. It used to be that the winner of the Miss Namibia contest competes at both Miss World and Miss Universe pageants. Since 2013 however, the pageant gave preference to Miss World contest.
The Miss Namibia 2016 pageant featured some of the fashion apparels from local designers which includes Cobus Moller, Chakirra Claasen, Leah Misika and Lorna Bothafeatured. The event also featured the performances of Ann Singer and South African singer George Longane.
As of 2015, Namibia is ranked 84th in the world of pageantry which has slipped from 77th in 2012. No Namibian woman has ever won the Miss World crown although Michelle Mclean placed at 5th at Miss World 1991. She later became Miss Universe 1992.
