Charene Labuschagne has had a whirlwind couple of months since winning the Miss Namibia crown at Gobabis at the start of August.
For many, stepping into the national spotlight brings a complete overhaul of daily life, yet the newly crowned queen is determined to keep her feet firmly planted on the ground.
Reflecting on the immediate shift after winning, Labuschagne admits that the transition from a quiet routine to a demanding public schedule was an adjustment.
Overnight, simple daily tasks were replaced with public recognition and official duties. Yet, beneath the glamour and formal engagements, she insists her core identity remains completely untouched.
“My life truly changed overnight, from being recognised in public and having a demanding schedule, while before, I had routine and could go unnoticed,” Labuschagne says.
“At the same time, so many things are still the same. I’m still exactly who I was before being crowned Miss Namibia. Still a girl who prefers being makeup-free and braaiing a lamb rib on a Sunday.”
For Labuschagne, staying grounded meant returning immediately to family after the coronation weekend.
Her very first act once the excitement settled on the Sunday after the pageant was a simple family lunch, craving a burger after a demanding week of preparation and taking time to debrief with her closest supporters.
Beyond the pageant stage, Labuschagne brings a strong professional background in creative direction, writing and presentation to her national duties.
That creative background continues to shape how she approaches her reign, allowing her to spot stories in subtle details, whether examining local architecture during regional visits in the Omaheke region or collaborating with production crews on set.
This perspective was pivotal in selecting the three national costumes put forward for public voting, a new feature introduced by the Miss Namibia Organisation to ensure broader public engagement.
“My background as a creative director has helped me to see a story in everything,” she says.
“Namibia is the most remarkable story I know, and I’m fortunate to have the capacity to help tell the world and fellow Namibians the stories of our people, wildlife, landscapes, creative economy and industries of global importance.”
When she isn’t managing her official schedule, Sundays are spent far away from high fashion and public appearances.
Labuschagne gravitates toward quiet creative outlets at home, including sewing projects, family braais, or simply unwinding with a notebook to jot down ideas. Writing remains a central passion, offering an outlet to clear her mind despite her shift into full-time public duties.
At the centre of Labuschagne’s advocacy is the Thrive Collective, an initiative focused on equipping Namibian women with practical tools, mentorship and business resources to build sustainable micro-enterprises.
Rather than imposing top-down solutions, her approach centres on identifying existing community strengths.
Shortly before the national pageant, Labuschagne conducted a skills mapping workshop for 20 women at Epako, Gobabis. The exercise highlighted local expertise in traditional beadwork and sewing, alongside the ongoing economic barriers these artisans face when trying to turn their skills into viable businesses.
Through workshops and strategic partnerships with local entrepreneurs, the initiative aims to bridge the gap between individual drive and economic sustainability, ensuring women across various regions can build financial independence.
“When women have the tools to write their own stories, they empower not only themselves, but entire communities,” Labuschagne says.
With national duties in full swing, Labuschagne is simultaneously preparing to represent the country on the international stage at the Miss Universe pageant this November. The 75th Miss Universe pageant will take place in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Balancing national engagements with international preparations requires strict prioritisation. To manage her demanding schedule, she applies a practical decision-making framework: asking whether an engagement will matter in five minutes, five months, or five years.
Priority is consistently given to long-term commitments that leave a lasting imprint on local communities and properly prepare her for international representation.
As she prepares to depart, Labuschagne emphasises that representing the nation abroad is a responsibility she takes with absolute seriousness, and she calls on Namibians to follow and support the journey across official Namibian Broadcasting Corporation and Miss Namibia platforms.
Her message to young Namibians pursuing their own ambitions is straightforward and uncompromising: staying true to one’s self remains the most effective asset. “You don’t need to become someone else to be the right person for that job, that opportunity, that relationship, or that title,” Labuschagne says.
“The greatest disservice you can do unto yourself and the world is to become a distilled version of your whole self.”
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