By Rinelda Mouton
Twenty-seven-year-old creative director Charene Labuschagne from Windhoek was crowned Miss Namibia 2026 recently during a glittering finale at Die Dam Resort in Gobabis. Labuschagne spoke to Confidente newspaper revealing more about her herself, her likes and what the public can expect from her during the year.
Q: Tell us more about yourself?
A: I am someone who is endlessly curious and optimistic. I love meeting people, hearing their stories and learning from different perspectives. Professionally, I come from a marketing and visual communications background, and I am also the founder of Thrive Collective, which focuses on connecting Namibian women with entrepreneurial skills and opportunities. But before I am any one of those things, I am Namibian. It is the nucleus of my identity and I’m thrilled to spend this year serving the country that has shaped me.
Q: Tell us more about your life growing up?
A: I grew up in a loving Afrikaans family that encouraged me to dream big and to ask questions. Looking back, I think curiosity has always been part of who Iam. I was the bold child who wanted to understand how things worked and why people thought differently. That curiosity has stayed with me and continues to shape how I approach life today.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: I love sewing, travelling and exploring Namibia and I have become quite the braai master. I also really enjoy building things, whether that is developing new ideas for Thrive Collective, working on creative projects, or brainstorming product concepts in my professional capacity. I am happiest when I’m learning something new or creating something meaningful.
Q: You experienced bullying at school. Tell us more about this?
A: Like many children, I experienced moments where I felt different. I think being so expressive and rooted in my individuality may have been the reason some peers picked on me. At the time those experiences were incredibly difficult, but today I choose to see them as part of my growth rather than my identity. They taught me empathy. School taught me resilience. Looking back, I am grateful for those lessons because they’ve shaped the woman I am today. Another fun fact is that I was the WHS kudu mascot for a while!
Q: What are some of your likes and dislikes?
A: I love meaningful conversations, good coffee, a Sunday braai, Namibia’s landscapes, creativity and people who are passionate about what they do. I dislike dishonesty and complacency. I believe there’s always something we can learn and always a way we can contribute.
Q: How do you like spending your weekends?
A: I have recently learned to love a quiet weekend at home. If I am not home, crafting something, I’m likely cooking for my family, under the stars next to a camp fire, reading, or working on Thrive Collective. I genuinely enjoy being productive, but I’ve also learned the importance of making time to rest and recharge.
Q: What is your motto in life?
A: My motto is “there is place in the sun for everyone.” That reminds me that a collaborative spirit is always more productive than a competitive one. I wholeheartedly believe that everyone has permission to thrive.
Q: What advice do you have for females?
A: Do not wait until you feel completely ready before you begin. Confidence does not come first, it grows through action. Be curious, keep learning, nurture your mind and body, and do not underestimate what you are capable of building one step at a time.
Q: How did it happen for you to enter Miss Namibia?
A: I entered because I am endlessly passionate about my country. Being an ambassador starts the moment you claim to be Namibian, so I have always spoken highly about this nation. This title and the platform it provides is something I saw as an opportunity to grow, to serve and to put my money where my mouth is when it comes to facilitating the change I hope to see. I never saw it as becoming someone different, I see it as becoming more of who I already was.
Q: How did you find the Miss Namibia contest?
A: It was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. It stretched me in ways I didn’t expect and introduced me to remarkable women. I leave the competition not only with a crown, but with friendships, lessons and a much deeper understanding of myself.
Q: As Miss Namibia, what will you focus on during the year?
A: My biggest focus will be growing Thrive Collective through partnerships that connect more Namibian women with practical entrepreneurial skills, mentorship and opportunities. Alongside that, I want to travel our country, listen to communities and learn from the people I meet, because I believe the best representation begins with understanding the people you’re representing.
Q: As Miss Namibia, what do you have to say to the public?
A: Thank you for your support, your encouragement and for trusting me with this incredible responsibility. I promise to represent Namibia with grace, pride and compassion, and to give this role everything I have. This crown belongs to all of us. Over the next year, I hope to celebrate the people, stories and communities that make Namibia so extraordinary. I cannot wait to meet more Namibians, learn from them and represent our country with excellence both at home and on the international stage.
