Umbi Karuaihe-Upi has announced her departure after 35 years with the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) and the Miss Namibia Organisation.

The seasoned media practitioner said it is time to focus on herself and her personal dreams.

“I have worked for many years in different positions. Now I want to use the time I still have to do things for myself. Some of my personal projects have been on hold since 2017,” she said. 

Karuaihe-Upi shared that her choice was also shaped by her life experiences. She has observed friends working until retirement and even after, but they never seem to get the opportunity to enjoy life.

“I don’t want that to happen to me. I want to live a full life,” she said.

Colourful career

The Queen Mother, as she is affectionately known, began her career at NBC in 1990 as a television reporter and rose through the ranks, holding several positions, including Chief Commercial Officer, over the years.  She also represented the Namibian government in Paris as a communication expert and lectured part-time in politics. In 2023, when NBC became a shareholder in the Miss Namibia Organisation, she took over leadership of the pageant.

At that time, she said, the pageant needed new energy.

“When I took over from Conny Maritz, I was excited. She mentored me and guided me. But I knew we had to make changes. I didn’t want it to be just a beauty pageant. It had to stand for something bigger,” she said. 

Miss Namibia as a movement

Karuaihe-Upi and her team concentrated on establishing solid foundations. They emphasised key areas like education, housing, tourism promotion, culture, and support for local fashion designers.

“We wanted it to be a movement for change,” she explained.

She added that getting sponsors was not easy at first, but they got the hang of it. “Many people did not understand the value of a pageant. We had to show them that this is about empowering young women and preparing them for leadership,” she said. 

Over time, the results became evident as Namibian contestants started achieving high rankings in international competitions. In 2023, Namibia returned to the Top 20 at Miss Universe after 2 decades. Additionally, other contestants secured top positions at global pageants, including a landmark victory at Miss Global in Peru.

“In total, we had about nine or ten international placements since I took over,” she said proudly.

Behind the scenes challenges

Karuaihe-Upi said one of the biggest challenges was working with people who lacked integrity.

“Trust and ethics are very important when you work with people,” she said.

She highlighted that modern pageants have evolved.

“Today’s contestants are doctors, lawyers and graduates. It is not only about beauty. It is about intelligence, charity work and leadership. We must prepare them for big roles in society,” she emphasised.

Preparations continue

Even though she has stepped down, preparations for the next Miss Namibia are going smoothly. Planning started last year, and NBC teams are continuing with the work.

From the outside, she says, it may look simple, but it is not.

“There is a lot of planning behind the scenes. It is a 24-7-hour job,” she said. The next Miss Namibia event will take place in the Omaheke Region, which is her home region. She says she is proud of that and plans to attend. NBC will announce her successor soon.

Looking ahead

Shesaid she leaves with peace and pride.

“You must know when to step aside. These organisations are bigger than us.”

She thanked the Namibian public, the media, sponsors and everyone who supported the pageant over the years. “Without the support of the people, we would not have succeeded,” she said. As she concludes this chapter, Umbi expresses excitement about what lies ahead.

“For many years, I worked for my country and my family. Now I want to take some time for myself,” she said. -pmukokobi@nepc.com.na