Sven Thieme

"Maybe five, six, seven in the Western Cape, and that's it. Just a special store, special destination, and with potential for other stores to follow later on." "We have about five to six tonnes exported to South Africa. We want to grow this year to 50 tonnes a month." "The transition to Model signals the birth of a retail experience designed by Namibians, for Namibians. At the heart of this transf...

"Over the past two years, we have undertaken a deliberate review of all our operating companies, assessing performance, alignment and long-term viability as we build towards Vision 2029. That work requires discipline and courage." "Closing the Shop & Bistro allows us to simplify operations, reduce overheads and redirect resources to where they will have the greatest impact, thereby strengthening H...

"The identity reset follows several years of deliberate internal transformation, built on the core characteristics of our OL Persona, Authentic, Caring and Passionate, which guide the way the organisation shows up in every interaction, every decision and every experience it creates for its people, its customers and its communities." "We have strengthened our leadership, deepened our organisational...

"Retaining this accreditation is a shared achievement. While we celebrate our progress, we remain intentional about improvement. Our goal is to be recognised globally as a Top 10 Great Place to Work."

"We are genuinely grateful for this acknowledgement. At O&L, our pursuit of excellence is embedded in how our people work, the standards we set and the accountability we maintain as we work towards Vision 2029."

"I am confident that Maryke's passion for crafting extraordinary guest experiences and her authentic, caring and passionate leadership style will continue to inspire a commitment to excellence across the business." "Maryke's appointment is a testament to the depth of talent within O&L, and I look forward to seeing her guide the business and the team as we work towards achieving Vision 2029."

"The year 2025 tested our resolve in ways we anticipated and in ways we did not. What stands out are the numbers on our balance sheet and the character our people demonstrated when faced with uncertainty." "Cleanergy established Namibia as a credible player in green hydrogen. Having pioneered that space, we are now concentrating resources on strengthening core operations that drive Vision 2029 tar...

"This shift enables us to sharpen our focus on strengthening our core business and pursuing new opportunities that bring us closer to vision 2029." "the company looks forward to collaborating with CMB Tech on other projects in the future."

"The absolute highlight has been our strategic repositioning in 2023. We've invested in renovating our restaurants and elevating every aspect of the guest experience."

"The robotic assistant is programmed to help customers locate products and provide information, a first for Namibian retail. Here we're testing all new technologies out. We've got our own systems now, payment systems and all sorts. Also the checkout, self-checkout system, which is really working very well." "This one alone was N$60 million, the investment into the shop to bring it to that level no...

"This acquisition complements our efforts to showcase Namibia with the addition of the Popa Falls as well as the Sossusvlei environment." "O&L Leisure's commitment to job retention transforms what could have been an uncertain transition into a celebration of continuity and growth."

"By welcoming Le Mirage and Divava to our portfolio, we're inviting guests to discover new corners of Namibia."

"False visuals and messages are circulating online in my name, promoting so-called 'investment opportunities'." "Let me be clear, I will never use my online presence to ask anyone to invest money through any website or online platform."

"I hereby extend my heartfelt congratulations to The Namibian on reaching its remarkable 40-year milestone."

By-lined opinion column, authored by Sven Thieme, Executive Chairman of the O&L Group. Opening paragraph: "As I reflect on Wernhil Park's remarkable 35-year journey, I am deeply moved by the vision and courage of my grandfather, Werner List, whose faith in Namibia's future created something far greater than a shopping centre." Closing paragraph: "Through bold ideas and a legacy mindset, our future...

"This acquisition complements our offering of showcasing Namibia through our eyes with the addition of the Okavango Popa Falls as well as the Sossusvlei environment. The handover was extremely smooth with the on-boarding of the people and each one was welcomed individually to our family. We look forward to an exciting future and the exceptional experiences we can offer our guests from around the w...

"Yes, this is part of our ongoing expansion strategy as we continue to select 'handpicked' locations." "We don't take our guests to just any place where there is a tree. We take our guests to where there is a story, history and natural wonder." "When refurbishments do take place, they will be undertaken thoughtfully and in line with the approach across our other properties." "As a proudly Namibian...

"The transition to Model signals the birth of a retail experience designed by Namibians, for Namibians. At the heart of this transformation is a 100% Namibian buying team that will have complete autonomy to create product ranges that reflect local needs, preferences and values. Our independence gives us the strategic freedom to build partnerships with local suppliers, invest in Namibian talent and...

"This expansion marks a key moment in realising our 'Namibia Through Our Eyes' vision, growing our presence across the country's most coveted and storied destinations." "We don't take our guests to just any place where there is a tree. We take our guests to where there is a story, history and natural wonder." "We are committed to integrating Le Mirage and Divava into the brand's portfolio of authe...

"Dr Nujoma's vision, courage and commitment to Namibia's independence and prosperity have left an enduring legacy that continues to inspire us all." "As a nation, we have a duty to carry forward the values of resilience, unity and progress that he so passionately championed. Let us continue to build a future that honours his life's work, a Namibia where dreams are realised and possibilities are en...

"This award serves as a testament not only to my own endeavours but to the collective efforts of the remarkable team at O&L and the vibrant spirit of the Namibian people."

"It is obviously unbelievable to be awarded with such an award, which always feels good if one works very hard for something."

"This award represents the authenticity, passion, and care embedded in our O&L Persona and reflects the commitment, hard work, and resilience of our entire team. I stand here not as an individual but as a representative of our dynamic, innovative, and passionate organization."

"AI is one of the greatest innovations of our time, but as with all powerful tools, it can be misused." "I will never request or endorse any financial investments online."