The first runner-up of Miss Namibia 2023, Albertina Haimbala, will represent the country at the Miss Earth 2024 International Beauty Pageant instead of at the Miss World Beauty Festival.
Normally, the first runner-up would attend the Miss World festival instead of Miss Namibia, however, the organisers of the event have decided otherwise.
The Miss Earth 2024 International Beauty Pageant will be held in Vietnam later this year.
This was announced by Miss Namibia Organisation's Chief Executive Officer, Umbi Karuaihe-Upi, today.
Karuaihe-Upi said the Miss World Organisation resolved that they would strictly enforce their standing rule that only the national winner can participate in the Miss World Beauty Festival.
The rule clearly stipulates that the first runner-up can only participate when the national winner is unable to or is incapacitated.
In recent times, the Miss World Organisation has been more flexible but has now decided to adhere strictly to its own standing rules and regulations.
"In September 2022, we decided that we would send the winner and the first and second runner-ups to three of the major international pageants, so we can give each lady the opportunity to showcase and promote Namibia and have more women participate in international competitions."
Following the announcement that the Miss World Organisation wouldn't allow runner-ups to participate, the Miss Namibia Organisation had to adjust accordingly.
The CEO of the Miss Namibia Organisation said there are rules and requirements that they have no control over, including the postponement of international beauty pageants. Hence, as licensee franchise holders, they must abide by them.
This means that this year only the soon-to-be crowned Miss Namibia will be sent to Miss Universe 2024.
"I mean that this year only Miss Namibia will represent us. The first and second runner-ups will not represent Namibia on any international platform this year."
The next Miss Namibia will be crowned on the 20th of July, with preliminaries being held this Friday.