The Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) has been named as the country's most admired media and entertainment brand at the Brand Africa Namibia awards held in the capital.

The awards celebrate brands that continue to make a positive impact on consumers and contribute to economic growth in Namibia and across Africa.

Brand Africa, which marks 15 years of operation, has been active in Namibia since 2019 and currently operates in 30 countries.

Co-Founder of Brand Africa Namibia, Lazarus Jacobs, says, "The Brand Namibia Council is not here to be placed or to compete against Brand Namibia, which is a brilliant initiative by the government about nationhood. What we basically want to do at the Brand Namibia Council is we are focused on actual Namibian brands, individual brands, and how we can promote them and how they can eventually form the Brand Namibia."

MTC scooped the overall winner award, taking home the Grand Prix award as the country's admired brand. 

The company dominated the awards, earning recognition as one of Namibia's most admired brands and ranking among the leading African brands.

Bank Windhoek was once again named the first most admired Namibian banking brand. 

Windhoek Beer also performed strongly, securing the title of Namibia's most admired alcoholic beverage brand.

Coca-Cola is recognised as the most admired non-alcoholic beverage brand, while FNB wins as the most admired non-Namibian banking brand. 

In the tourism and hospitality category, Gondwana takes top honours. 

The awards also recognise the Most Influential African Chief Marketing Officers for their contribution to building strong brands across the continent, which are Windhoek beer and MTC.

The organisation advocates for African-made brands and encourages consumers to support products and services from the continent.

According to the founder and chairman of Brand Africa, Thebe Ikalafeng, the latest Brand Africa survey shows that only 15% of the brands admired by Africans are made in Africa. 

"What's so interesting is that over the last 15 years or so, only 20% of the brands that Africans admire have made in Africa. They must come here. 20% of the brands that Africans admire have made in Africa. It's a problem for us Africans. It's a disaster. We are rejecting everything made in Africa."

The awards further recognised individuals making a difference in society, such as Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa and the Managing Director of Dinapama, David Namalenga, for distinguished leadership in the private sector.