The Omaheke Region will host this year's Miss Namibia and Miss Teen Namibia pageants, bringing one of the country's biggest national events to the region. 

The prestigious events will be held on 31 July and 1 August, respectively.

Making the announcement on Monday, Namibian Broadcasting Corporation's (NBC) Director General Stanley Similo says development at all levels must be inclusive, adding that hosting the event in Omaheke reflects such.

Launching the events, Similo noted that the region is ready to host the prestigious events and highlighted the presence of a growing creative industry in the area. 

Similo also praised Gobabis for its rich and diverse cultural heritage. 

"The question will be, 'Why Gobabis?' The answer is simple. Gobabis is ready; it has been on standby. There is leadership in this region; the region has the infrastructure that can assist us in making these pageants a reality. It is also because of the diverse culture that is embedded within the region and the town of Gobabis in particular."

NBC Board Chairperson Lazarus Jacobs has encouraged the local business community in the Omaheke Region to take advantage of opportunities presented by hosting Miss Namibia and Miss Teen Namibia 2026.

Jacobs emphasised that hosting the pageants in Omaheke highlights the importance of inclusivity and regional development. 

"We are decentralising our economy, and NBC's role is very important in the sense that we need to put a spotlight on Namibia. Namibia is not Windhoek; Namibia is all 14 regions, so now I would like to urge the business community: pageants like this are not money-making pageants; they are not events to make money. NBC does not make money from Miss Namibia. What we want to do is to create a platform to showcase your region."

Omaheke Governor Pijoo Nganate welcomed the gesture, saying the events will provide an opportunity to showcase Omaheke to the rest of the country.

"And it is because nbc saw it wise to put us on the map. We have been known for so many wrong things. The coming of Miss Namibia to the Omaheke Region is, to us, very important; it is to uplift our spirit and also to restore our hope and belief in ourselves. Thank you so much for thinking about Omaheke."

The event is expected to boost tourism and showcase the region's talent, culture, and hospitality.