First National Bank (FNB) Namibia has handed over a N$250,000 sponsorship to the Editors' Forum of Namibia in support of press freedom.

The money will be used for journalism awards.

The Editors' Forum of Namibia Journalism Awards aim to celebrate excellence in investigative reporting.

FNB Namibia's Head of Communications, Kristy Watermeyer, acknowledges journalists' role in shaping informed societies, holding institutions accountable, and amplifying the voices of communities, adding that "we know that it is done often under challenging circumstances. This work is a vital part of ensuring that the public has access to accurate, balanced, and trusted information. Supporting the EFN Journalism Awards is one of the ways in which we recognise and celebrate this important contribution."

The Chairperson of EFN, Toivo Ndjebela, commended the long-term partnership between FNB and the Forum.

"You've been with us along a very long journey, and this is a continuation of a partnership that has survived the test of time for a period of time. So we are grateful for the generosity. We are particularly grateful for the bank's recognition of the work that we do as journalists, not as EFN. For EFN, we are just coordinating for the fraternity, but the fact that probably the biggest financial institution in the country recognises the trade of journalism, the importance of journalism to our country – that, for us, means everything."