By Staff Reporter
WINDHOEK, Aug. 14 – Capricorn Group and Sanlam Namibia, two prominent players in the financial sector, recently collaborated to host a highly successful half-day Financial Journalism Workshop under the theme ‘Mastering key concepts in financial journalism’. The workshop, well-attended by media practitioners from diverse fields such as broadcast, print, and digital media, as well as final-year media students from the University of Namibia and the Namibia University of Science and Technology, aimed to bolster reporting skills related to the financial services industry, including banks and the insurance sector.
This joint effort builds on the success of individual initiatives by both Capricorn Group and Sanlam Namibia to uplift media practitioners in the past. The workshop’s comprehensive agenda included topics such as interpreting financial statements, analyzing financial trends, understanding ethical guidelines and regulations governing the financial and insurance sectors, practical financial/economic journalism, and comprehending economic concepts.
Esteemed presenters included Zenaune Kamberipa, Chief Financial Officer of Bank Windhoek; Mathys du Preez, Legal and Compliance General Manager at Sanlam; Tabby Moyo, a seasoned business journalist and former editor; and Floris Bergh, Chief Economist at Capricorn Asset Management.
Capricorn Group is celebrating a significant milestone this year – a decade since its listing on the Namibian Stock Exchange. As the Group approaches its financial results announcement, it remains steadfast in its commitment to enhancing lives through leadership in financial services as Connectors of Positive Change. The Group continues to focus on ensuring a sustainable future while contributing to economic development in the countries it operates in.
Marlize Horn, Capricorn Group Executive: Brand and Corporate Affairs, highlighted the critical role of the media as a societal watchdog, emphasizing the need for improved financial reporting. The intention is not only to provide an accurate representation of the financial sector but also to interpret the actions of listed companies in a manner understandable to local communities.
Sanlam, committed to fostering excellence in journalism, has actively supported and imparted financial journalism skills through notable initiatives. The Sanlam Group Awards for Excellence in Financial Journalism, established in 1974, recognizes outstanding financial journalists across various media formats. The prestigious Sanlam Summer School for Financial Journalists is a week-long workshop focused on enhancing the ability of journalists to analyze financial statements effectively, contributing to investigative journalism and corporate governance enhancement within Namibia.
Tertius Stears, Chief Executive Officer of Sanlam Namibia Holdings, emphasized the significance of honing financial reporting skills for the betterment of journalism and corporate transparency. “Through this workshop, Sanlam hopes to nurture the talents of current and future Namibian journalists, refining their ability to navigate intricate financial matters and communicate them effectively to the public,” Tertius Stears stated.
