Two Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group operating companies, Hartlief and O&L Leisure, received Certificates of Recognition at the SADC Quality Awards 2025/2026 ceremony held in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 25 March 2026.
Hartlief Continental Meat Products has been recognised in Category 4: Exporter of the Year, Large Enterprise, while O&L Leisure receives its recognition in Category 3: Service of the Year, Large Enterprise. Both awards were accepted by Beverly Jandrell, newly appointed Marketing Manager at Hartlief.
Sven Thieme, Executive Chairman of the O&L Group, acknowledged the significance of the milestone within the broader context of the Group’s long-term strategy. “We are genuinely grateful for this acknowledgement. At O&L, our pursuit of excellence is operational. It is embedded in how our people show up each day, in the standards we set and in the accountability we hold ourselves to as we work towards Vision 2029. Regional recognition from a body as rigorous as SADC confirms that our commitment to world-class products and services is translating into real, measurable outcomes.” This sentiment was echoed by Dr. Eino Mvula, CEO of the Namibian Standards Institution (NSI), who officially congratulated the Group on this remarkable achievement.
The awards, established in 2009 by the SADC Committee of Ministers of Trade and implemented from 2011, recognise organisations across the 16 SADC member states that demonstrate measurable commitment to international quality standards, quality assurance and sound management systems. Qualification for the regional awards is demanding. Only national award winners are eligible to compete at SADC level, making the recognition a meaningful benchmark of continental standing.
Accepting the recognition awards on behalf of both brands, Beverly Jandrell reflected on what the recognition represents for the people behind the products and the services. On Hartlief, she said: “This recognition affirms that Namibian-made products can compete and excel at the highest continental level. It speaks to the dedication of every single person in our production facilities, our quality control teams and our logistics operations – people who show up every day, passionate about what they do and proud of what they put on the table.”
On O&L Leisure, she added: “This award belongs to our remarkable teams across every lodge and hotel. Our people who live the O&L Persona each day, delivering beyond a service by creating connections. Namibia is ready for the world and O&L Leisure is proud to show the way.”
The Certificates of Recognition are a clear step in the right direction as O&L advances towards its Vision 2029 objectives. The Group regards the SADC acknowledgement as further evidence that its people, processes and products are aligned with the standards the region demands and that the work of building enduring African brands with world-class credentials is producing tangible results.
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