The Ohlthaver & List Group (O&L) has been named a Great Place to Work for 2026/27, showing its focus on building a strong and caring workplace. 

The certification was awarded by the Great Place to Work Institute, an independent body that measures how employees feel about their jobs. 

The recognition is based on feedback from workers through an anonymous survey. O&L executive chairman Sven Thieme thanked employees for their honesty and input. He said their feedback plays a key role in shaping the company’s future. 

“Retaining this accreditation is a shared achievement. We are proud of the progress, but we also know there is more to do. Our goal is to be recognised among the top workplaces in the world while continuing to contribute to Namibia and its people,” he said. 

The accreditation means employees feel their voices are heard and taken seriously. Inside the company, survey results are shared openly and used to improve working conditions. 

Outside the company, the award signals to customers and investors that O&L’s workplace culture is strong and verified. O&L is one of Namibia’s biggest private employers, with businesses in food production, retail, tourism and engineering. The company says investing in its workers improves customer service and supports the wider economy. “This year, O&L scored 69% on the Trust Index survey, above the 65% needed to qualify. 

Eleven of its operating companies also received individual certifications, an improvement from previous years,” he said. The group first joined the survey in 2017, and has met the required score in six out of eight cycles. The latest results, from 2025 and 2026, are the highest recorded so far. 

O&L says it will continue to focus on creating a workplace where employees feel valued, with the aim of strengthening trust among customers, partners and the wider Namibian community. 

-newsroom@nepc.com.na