The National Broadcasting Corporation has fully taken over Miss Namibia.
This was announced at a reveal event in Windhoek.
Miss Namibia National Director Conny Maritz handed over the management of Miss Namibia to Umbi Karuaihe-Upi as the new Chief Executive Officer.
Maritz says one of her greatest joys of being the National Director for 23 years was working with numerous pageant participants especially, those who had the privilege to bear the Miss Namibia crown as well as those who represented the country internationally.
"They say that there is a time for everything. The time has come to take the Miss Namibia Organization to an even greater level of prominence, success, social importance and national significance. Mindful that the Miss Namibia Pageant has always been a celebration of beauty with a charitable purpose, I must confess to my hope that the organization will continue in the future with charitable work and by highlighting the plight of so many less-privileged Namibians. I, for one, cannot be more confident to hand over the reins to nbc".
The incoming CEO, Karuaihe-Upi announced that she will reduce entrance fee to Miss Namibia from N$850 while for Miss Teen Namibia will be slashed from N$700 to N$400.
"I will carry this job with the dignity that it deserves, I am happy and proud to be the new Chief Executive
Officer and National Director of the Miss Namibia Organization"
She commended the outgoing Miss Namibia National Director for developing the beauty pageant.
The nbc's Director General, Stanley Similo says it is vital that the broadcaster empowers the girl child through the pageant to the next level.
This he says will inspire them and boost confidence as well as empower them through different courses to flourish.
"This speaks to the genesis of a girl child, giving the girl child space where she must get the respect she deserves, where she must aspire for things that ordinarily will not be there.
The nbc received N$2.5 million towards Miss Namibia from Debmarine Namibia.
In addition, the deadline was also extended from March 31 to 12 April.
The nbc's Chairman of the Board Lazarus Jacobs says Miss Namibia is not just a pageant, but an Ambassador.