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.

By Staff Reporter

Ondangwa, Aug. 14 – Bank Windhoek’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Division, in collaboration with the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) Northern Office, recently organized enlightening SME information sessions in Ondangwa and Oshakati, aimed at fostering meaningful engagement, sharing information, and identifying opportunities for SMEs facing challenges while striving to run successful businesses.

Jenevieve Swartz, Bank Windhoek’s Manager of Emerging SMEs, explained that the sessions provided a valuable platform for entrepreneurs to voice their challenges and explore growth opportunities. The Ondangwa session drew participation from 26 entrepreneurs, while the Oshakati session hosted 42 entrepreneurs. The Bank’s dedicated SME team, along with the local Ondangwa and Oshakati Branch staff, presented Bank Windhoek’s diverse range of products and services to attendees.

Amalia Schmidt, a seasoned businesswoman and NCCI Exco member extended a warm welcome to attendees, commending their resilience during the challenging times brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shatona Tuyenikelao, an SME business owner in Oshakati, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Bank Windhoek for the engaging session, underscoring the value of future interactions.

The Namibia Investment Promotion Development Board (NIPDB) Micro-Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSME) Business Advisory Services unit, a vital strategic partner, participated in both sessions. They delivered an informative presentation detailing the MSME unit’s mandate and the ongoing initiatives designed to drive growth in Namibia.

The key theme that emerged from both the Ondangwa and Oshakati sessions was the vital need for access to information. Participants emphasized that many interventions are often concentrated in Windhoek, leaving the Northern regions underrepresented. Additionally, the SMEs stressed the importance of access to finance for business expansion, as well as mentoring and coaching on various aspects of running a successful enterprise. Furthermore, engaging with bank staff who comprehend the nuances of their businesses was highlighted as a priority.

Jenevieve Swartz, Bank Windhoek’s Manager of Emerging SMEs, emphasized the significance of ongoing engagement with SMEs to better understand their expectations and provide tailor-made solutions for their distinctive business ventures. “As connectors of positive change, our ambition is to extend these sessions to all 14 regions, where feasible, ensuring that information access is widespread. We highly value our existing and potential clients, and our aim is to strengthen these relationships through regular outreach,” she affirmed.

NDN Staffer

Accra, Ghana, Aug. 14 – A high-level delegation from Namibia, led by Mr. Lineekela J. Mboti, Chief Executive Officer of the Namibian African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), recently embarked on a fact-finding mission to Ghana to gain in-depth knowledge of the country’s successful implementation of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and its robust civic education program.

The delegation engaged with officials from Ghana’s National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), the National Governing Council of the APRM-Ghana, and other prominent state institutions. The focus of the discussions centred on Ghana’s extensive experience in effectively implementing the APRM, a voluntary framework established among African nations for governance and development assessments at the Head of State peer level.

Ghana, one of the founding members of the APRM, has been actively participating in the program since 2003, successfully completing two cycles of review and currently preparing for its third cycle.

The Namibian delegation expressed a keen interest in understanding how Ghana has seamlessly integrated the APRM into its national governance system. The NCCE plays a pivotal role in this integration process, and the Namibian delegation was particularly intrigued by the Commission’s efforts in raising awareness of the APRM and fostering collaboration with civil society organizations.

Furthermore, the Namibian delegation was keen on learning from Ghana’s exemplary civic education program. With the NCCE as the driving force behind promoting civic education in Ghana, the delegation eagerly absorbed insights into the Commission’s methodologies and strategies.

Impressed by Ghana’s accomplishments in APRM implementation and civic education, the Namibian delegation is confident in leveraging this newfound knowledge to elevate the APRM-Namibia initiative to a success story.

The visit by the Namibian delegation to Ghana proved highly productive, highlighting the potential for mutual learning and cooperation between the two nations. The Namibian delegation extends sincere gratitude for the warm reception received in Ghana and looks forward to continuing fruitful collaboration in the future.