Windhoek — A celebration of African excellence and branding took centre stage recently as Brand Africa, in collaboration with the Windhoek Observer under the auspices of Paragon Media, hosted the 3rd edition of Best Brands Namibia awards. Held in the capital, the event brought together Namibia’s leading voices in business, media, and marketing, united by a shared vision to define, promote, and elevate African brands.
At the heart of this movement is Brand Africa, a pan-African non-profit initiative founded in 2010 by renowned branding authority Dr Thebe Ikalafeng. The initiative was born from a bold and urgent mission: to drive a brand-led African renaissance, rooted in the conviction that Africa’s future lies not in aid or charity, but in the strength of its own brands, brands that tell authentic African stories and reflect the continent’s values, resilience, and aspirations.
“Brands are not just logos or marketing gimmicks,” said Dr Ikalafeng in his keynote address. “They are cultural symbols, economic assets, and strategic tools for influence. They shape how we see ourselves, how others see us, and how we participate in the world economy.”
Through the Brand Africa 100 | Africa’s Best Brands, now in its 15th year — the organisation conducts the only independent pan-African survey of the brands most admired by Africans. The rankings are entirely uncommissioned, reflecting the voice of the people, rather than the influence of advertisers. From Lusaka to Lagos, Cape Town to Cairo, and now Windhoek, the list identifies the brands that Africans trust, value, and believe in.
The Windhoek event marked Namibia’s full participation in this pan-African movement. The Best Brands Namibia recognition celebrated the country’s top-performing and most admired brands across various sectors, including telecommunications, banking, FMCG, retail, and media. The awards highlighted Namibia’s homegrown champions, brands that are not only thriving locally, but have the potential to resonate across the continent.
“Today is not just about awards. It’s a movement. It’s a call to reclaim Africa’s narrative, to celebrate African excellence, and to foster pride in what we create. Africa’s time is not coming. Africa’s time is now,” said Dr Ikalafeng, to resounding applause.
The event was made possible through the generous support of MTC, Namibia’s flagship telecoms brand; Paragon Media, known for crafting impactful narratives across media platforms; and the Windhoek Observer, a trusted voice of independent journalism and a platform committed to uplifting African perspectives.
In line with this celebration, the Windhoek Observer will publish a special supplement honouring the Best Brands Namibia winners. The supplement will offer in-depth profiles, expert insights, and exclusive interviews, showcasing not only the awardees but also the broader significance of brand-building in shaping Namibia’s economic identity and continental influence.
The special edition aims to spark conversations around the power of branding, the importance of local consumer confidence, and the need to invest in Namibian excellence.
The Windhoek Observer supplement is being led by Victoria Ivawa Shimweefeleni, a respected Namibian media and brand specialist, who brings years of expertise in communications and strategic storytelling to the project. Under her leadership, the supplement promises to be a compelling, high-quality publication that captures the essence of the Brand Africa vision and celebrates Namibia’s place within it.
The release of this exclusive edition is scheduled for 29 August 2025, as Namibia joins the continent in reaffirming: we are not just consumers of global brands, we are the creators of Africa’s future.
