The 12th Institute of People Management conference ended on a high note at its Excellence Gala Dinner at a local hotel on 27 October. At the event, Mercia Geises, Standard Bank Namibia CEO, was honoured with the IPM CEO of the Year Award. This award recognises CEO’s and MDs for their contribution to human resources (HR).
According to event organisers, the award was conferred on Geises because of her purpose-driven life and desire to always make a positive impact on other people. “Through her leadership, she has prioritised housing, healthcare, climate change and giving Standard Bank employees future-ready skills,” an IPM statement reads.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services was recognised with the IPM Award for Internships. This award was accepted by Ben Nangombe, executive director in the Ministry of Health & Social Services. This award recognises those organisations that have made a concerted effort and progress in providing learnerships and internships/on-the-job training to students from institutions of higher learning who need such opportunities.
“The Ministry of Health made a concerted effort to accommodate over 560 interns this year, which is a remarkable achievement,” the IPM stated.
Meanwhile, the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) was recognised with the IPM award for the company employing most persons who are differently-abled. This award was given to the NBC in recognition of their efforts in having sign language interpreters across all their stations.
Moreover, the IPM HR Centre of Excellence Award was given to MTC for their Dreamers project, where MTC funds 30 of their ambassadors on an annual basis with up to N$60 000 each to invest in their own businesses, social projects and on themselves to fulfill their dreams away from work.
The IPM HR Director of the Year award went to Julia Muetudhana, General Manager at the Namibia Training Authority, who was recognised for being a seasoned HR professional, well-rounded and an outstanding expert who demonstrated real HR values at her current employer by implementing various initiatives in the interest of employees, and showing outstanding and exemplary leadership.
The inaugural IPM Humanitarian Award, recognising any Namibian who made outstanding contributions in society, was given to Martha Festus, the founder of Porridge Storage and Keep a Girl in School Namibia. Also, the IPM Social Upliftment Award is given to an individual who has demonstrated great potential but is less privileged and given the right opportunity, they have the capacity to rise again and make something better of their lives. The award is, therefore, meant to uplift any individual in society so that they too can realise their dreams.
This award was given to Bazil Roux, a homeless 49-year-old Namibian from Windhoek. It is also accompanied with a cash prize of N$10 000, which IPM will manage by opening a bank account for the recipient and make an effort to get him a part- time or full-time job.