KEETMANSHOOP – Not only is the south of Namibia known for its precious gemstones, but equally so, it can deliver human gems. 

The recent crowning of Johanna Swartbooi (28), hailing from the remote Valgraas village, east of Keetmanshoop, as Miss Namibia 2025, fully attests to this statement. New Era’s Keetmanshoop-based journalist, Steven Klukowski, recently had an exclusive interview with the beauty queen on her life’s journey leading to success, and this was how she openly responded. 

When probing her on her upbringing, she described it as a journey filled with growth, purpose and passion. “I attended public schools in Windhoek and originally pursued studies in Social Work for three years before redirecting my path toward business,” she said. 

“In addition, I hold a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus on Innovation and Entrepreneurship Management from STADIO Higher Education, and I also hold earlier qualifications in business and marketing management.” 

When referring to her career path, Swartbooi noted that, on a professional level, she worked as an international model from 2019 to 2023 in South Africa, Italy and Germany. “I’ve further worked as a project manager at Avid Marketing Agency in early 2024, and later served as a senior private secretary to the Special Advisor to the Minister at the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation from late 2024 to early 2025,” she added. 

The crowned contestant also said those roles deepened her understanding of both the private and public sectors, and further on how innovation can be applied across them. 

Responding to her previous participation in beauty contests, she explained that she participated in the Miss Unam Freshmen during 2016, being crowned as 1st Princess and in addition had the privilege in 2019 of competing in the Miss Namibia pageant, where she ended up as second runner-up, apart from winning awards in the Top Model and Body Strong categories. “As hobbies in life, I love to dance and spend time with my family,” she said. 

In terms of her involvement in community charity before becoming Miss Namibia, Swartbooi narrated that since her high school years, she has been involved in several charities and community work. 

“I was part of Blue Cross Namibia to fight against alcohol and drug abuse in teenagers, forming part of discussions in the Children in the Media movement under MISA Namibia that worked on decoding how information was shared to children,” she explained. 

She continued to be involved in developing modelling and pageantry through the ||Hapo (dreams in Khoekhoegowab) initiative by nurturing and capacitating Namibian dreamers through skills development workshops and mentorship programmes. 

As a means to change the lives of vulnerable, less privileged people in life, she believes in the creativity of not only an expression, but rather an empowerment. “That’s why I established the ||Hapo Initiative in late 2024, a programme designed to equip creative entrepreneurs with practical skills, boost self-efficacy, and encourage job creation through workshops and roundtable discussions,” she elaborated. 

The beauty queen also highlighted being passionate about advocating for the recognition of Namibia’s creative industry as a vital contributor to economic growth and youth empowerment. 

In her message of inspiration to the youth, she advised them to be a little bit stubborn at times as no dream is too big to achieve and also strives to be dreamers that takes daily steps towards their end goal.” Try to follow my motto of believing to be capable of whatever you put your mind to,” she emphasised. 

The beauty queen concluded by expressing her extreme gratitude to her fans and the Namibian nation at large for the support and love they have shown her since her crowning.