Staff Writer
Standard Bank Namibia will host its first Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) Breakfast Connect on 31 October under the theme “Building Resilience: One Brick at a Time.”
The event will bring together industry leaders, risk professionals, and community stakeholders to discuss institutional resilience while raising funds for the bank’s Buy-a-Brick initiative, which supports low-income families in securing permanent housing.
Paulina Iiyambo, senior manager for IT audit at Standard Bank Namibia, said the breakfast reflects the bank’s belief that governance, risk and compliance are strategic enablers of sustainable growth.
“To be truly effective, these disciplines must operate in concert, not in isolation,” she said. “This platform allows us to reflect on what building resilience in our institutions looks like, unpack our collective responsibilities, and strengthen the networks that enable collaboration.”
The theme aligns with the bank’s broader risk culture and community investment strategy.
“Resilience is embedded in our risk culture,” Iiyambo said.
“We invest in strong governance systems, ethical leadership, and forward-looking risk management practices. But resilience must also be reflected in how we show up for our communities.”
She said resilience has become a strategic priority in today’s challenging environment. “Our 110-year legacy, dating back to our first branch in Lüderitz in 1915, is a living example of that,” Iiyambo said.
“We have remained steadfast through cycles of transformation because of our clarity of purpose and deliberate investment in building a resilient institution.”
The event will feature speakers including Bryan Kandjiriomuini, Head of GRC at Namfisa and Laina Likius, ESG and sustainability specialist at the Capricorn Group.
Discussions will focus on how institutions and communities can work together to build a secure, inclusive, and sustainable future, with attention to emerging areas such as ESG, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
Iiyambo said the concept of resilience applies to both corporate and community contexts.
“Resilience is never accidental; it’s designed. Just as we build frameworks to protect and enable businesses, we must build social frameworks that empower and uplift people,” she said.
“Through Buy-a-Brick, we extend these principles into the heart of Namibian communities.”
Proceeds from the breakfast will go toward building homes for low-income families, reinforcing the bank’s commitment to nation-building.
“We invite our partners and the public to join us, not just in funding bricks, but in laying the foundation for a more resilient Namibia,” Iiyambo said.
