Well-wishers lined up along the streets of Mariental to get a glimpse of the recently crowned Miss Namibia, Johanna Swartbooi. 

Swartbooi was on a tour of the southern towns of Mariental, Keetmanshoop, and her home village of Vaalgras. 

Swartbooi was met with cheers and ululations as residents gathered at the Mariental turnoff on the B1 Road. 

After the street parade, Swartbooi was escorted to the office of the Hardap Governor for a formal welcoming ceremony. 

Miss Namibia emphasised the importance of unity in diversity. 

"The dream was more than I am, so I had to follow. I had to listen to the nudge of coming back to Miss Namibia and being that glue, that union for Namibia, especially the north, the south and the central. It's very important to me that as Namibian children, there is unity, and we celebrate our diversity. And I strive to embody that unity in all my efforts."

Miss Namibia CEO Umbi Karuaihe-Upi said, "Our dream was to make sure that we revitalise our cultures, that we promote our tourist destination, and that we make everyone count in Namibia. We are One Namibia, One Nation. And today you have seen that it doesn't matter where you come from. Our diversity is our strength. And today you have Johanna Swartbooi from Vaalgras, who is the hope of the whole of Namibia when she goes to Bangkok, Thailand."

Hardap Governor Riaan McNab expressed his and the regional leadership's full support for Miss Namibia.

"You put us on the map, you have shown us what resilience is, and you have shown us that despite any other thing, your character, your integrity, your discipline, and the standard in you are top quality and excellent. And for that, we thank God forever. It is your season; use it, smile, be happy, enjoy it and don't ask for any apology. You are ours, and we love you."

The Hardap regional leadership also presented Miss Namibia with a gift.