Miss Upington Show Queen crowned

Seventeen-year-old Maria Spangenberg from Keimoes was crowned Miss Upington Show Queen 2026 and also walked away with the Miss Photogenic title during the pageant held at the Upington Showgrounds on Thursday.

Spangenberg received a cash prize of N$10 000 and was crowned by outgoing queen Denika Muller. Caitlin Spangenberg was named first princess, while Kydele Oosthuizen took the second princess title. Elisabeth van der Westhuizen was crowned Miss Personality, and Johanri vd Westhuizen received the Miss Role Model award.

Moments after receiving the crown, Spangenberg said she was grateful for the recognition after months of preparation and hard work. “I am so happy and very grateful because I worked hard for this title,” she said.

She credited her mother as her biggest inspiration. “She is always there for me, and I am who I am today because of her,” Spangenberg added. During her reign, she hopes to support underprivileged children and elderly people in surrounding communities. “Many people do not have anyone to turn to. I want to be there for them and make a difference in their lives.”

Spangenberg also encouraged young people not to compare themselves to social media trends. “Do not look down on yourself or compare yourself to social media. You are who you are and deserve to be respected. God created us all, and we are special.” 

The competition featured ten contestants who appeared in both formal and informal wear and showcased creative hat designs they had made themselves. Spangenberg impressed judges Jeanette Borgesi, Ruben Ramolefi, Alta Strauss, Len Fourie and Janine Visser with her confidence and stage presence throughout the event. Michael Lindt served as master of ceremonies, while Frans Badenhorst and Wilmie de Jong verified the judges’ scores.

Beyond the runway, contestants were also evaluated on community projects they initiated in their respective areas. The finalists joined forces with Miss Northern Cape 2026, Toks Bosman, and Miss Ultimate International, Jeaneigh Borghesi, to raise N$10 000 for children living with autism. The funds will be donated to schools catering for children with autism.

Pageant organiser Ansori Badenhorst said the final scores reflected more than the performances on stage. “The judging process started months ago through the contestants’ community projects and the development of their creative hat concepts,” Badenhorst explained. Contestants were also assessed on how they presented their designs, their formal and informal wear, and how they answered questions during the competition.