Three Ohlthaver & List (OL) operating companies, Model, OL Leisure and Hartlief have earned national recognition at the Namibian Standards Institute (NSI) 2026 National Quality Awards, receiving top honours across five Large Enterprise categories presented on World Standards Day, 14 October.
Model was honoured at the awards for the first time and made its debut a memorable one by taking home a certificate of recognition for Company of the Year. OL Leisure was named winner of both categories it entered, receiving the awards for Large Enterprise Service of the Year and Large Enterprise Company of the Year. Hartlief’s Continental Meat Product team also delivered an outstanding performance, winning Large Enterprise Exporter of the Year and achieving second runner-up in the Large Enterprise Product of the Year category.
The recognitions carry particular significance as they coincided with World Standards Day, a global observance that highlights the important role standards play in building trust, enabling innovation and ensuring quality, safety and reliability across industries. For OL, the recognitions reflect its commitment to world-class standards and continuous improvement. Through Vision 2029, the Group measures progress through internal assessments and its externally focused Persona Diagnostic, developed with PwC, ensuring that feedback received from employees, customers, partners and communities helps shape future improvements.
Franziska Rüeck - Chief Experience Officer, OL, said the awards are a powerful reminder that excellence is an ongoing commitment: "World Standards Day celebrates the organisations and individuals who continually raise the bar and that spirit resonates strongly with us at OL. These awards recognise the exceptional work of the Model, OL Leisure and Hartlief teams, and reinforce something bigger: our belief that standards matter because people matter. From welcoming guests and serving customers to supporting local suppliers and taking Namibian products to international markets, we strive to deliver experiences and products that inspire confidence and trust."
She added: "At OL, we hold ourselves accountable through regular feedback and measurement because we believe improvement starts with honest reflection. Guided by Vision 2029 and the OL Persona, we remain committed to uplifting standards, learning continuously and contributing to a culture of excellence in Namibia. We congratulate every team member whose dedication made these achievements possible."
OL extends its appreciation to the NSI for its continued leadership in promoting quality excellence and standards development in Namibia.
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