A Message from Namibia Dairies’ Managing Director, Wynand Oosthuizen
As 2025 comes to an end, I am incredibly proud to reflect on a year that tested our resilience, strengthened our unity and confirmed – once again – the remarkable spirit of Namibia Dairies.
The year began with immense pressure on our operations as Hardap Dam levels reached critically low levels, placing our !Aimab Superfarm at significant risk. The dam’s recovery, thanks to timely and much-needed rains, served a reminder of how intertwined our success is with the land and how essential it is to safeguard our agricultural foundation for future generations.
Alongside this, the ongoing reality of Foot and Mouth disease in neighbouring South Africa demanded constant vigilance, robust biosecurity measures and close collaboration with national stakeholders to protect local herds and ensure supply continuity. At the same time, our factory teams continued to push impressive volumes through aging equipment, which was a challenge they met with grit, teamwork and unwavering commitment to delivering everyday goodness to consumers across Namibia and beyond.
Despite the headwinds, 2025 was one of our most dynamic years for innovation. From our very first launch of the year – the 1kg Everyday Mixed Berries yoghurt in January – to the celebratory 2kg cultures for Namibia’s 30-year Independence in March, our teams consistently delivered what consumers asked for.
This was followed by limited-edition Oshikandela Vanilla and Summer Fruit flavours; the Heroes’ Day launch of the limited-edition Oshitaka Vanilla; new 500g Everyday Vanilla and Mixed Berries yoghurts; and the successful introduction of Rietfontein Apple in September. October saw the launch of the highly symbolic and meaningful release of the Oshikandela Strawberry 2kg in honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The momentum continued with the release of the limited-edition Rietfontein 300ml anniversary range for the brand’s 40-year milestone, alongside our national Rietfontein “A Legacy of Flavour” national consumer promotion.
We closed the year with two much-anticipated additions: the return of Oshikandela Guava as a limited-edition offering and the launch of the Oshikandela Plain 2kg – both led by strong consumer feedback. Every one of these innovations underscores our renewed commercial intent: to be focused, proudly consumer-centric and innovate to sustain.
Beyond product innovation, we made bold strides operationally. The integration of the Namibia Dairies and Hartlief sales and distribution functions in July created a unified commercial front – improving route-to-market efficiency, in-store visibility and customer service.
Our milk herd continued to grow steadily and now stands at approximately 3,100 cows, supported by ever-improving herd health practices and strengthened agronomy at both Superfarm and Otavifontein. Investments in soil health and irrigation, together with renewed partnerships with Hardap farmers, have positioned us for above-projection yields while also supporting rural livelihoods through more sustainable feed sourcing.
Our commitment to communities remained at the heart of our work. We engaged with schools, old-age homes and tertiary institutions, supported workplace attachments and contributed to wellness events focused on nutrition, breast cancer and mental health. These touchpoints reflect who we are as a responsible, proudly Namibian business.
We also elevated our engagement in the national manufacturing space, with active participation at the CBS 2025 Summit, Team Namibia AGM and other platforms that reinforce our role in strengthening local production and food security.
Reflecting on the year, one message is clear: none of this would have been possible without our people. Says Wynand:
“What makes Namibia Dairies exceptional is not only what we produce, but the passion, resilience and unity of the people behind it. I am deeply grateful to every colleague, partner, farmer, supplier and customer who continues to believe in and support our purpose. Together, we have built a foundation for an even stronger 2026.”
To our ND and O&L teams: thank you for your dedication, long hours, relentless problem-solving and unwavering belief in our vision. To our customers, partners, farmers and suppliers: thank you for your support and collaboration throughout this demanding but rewarding year.
On behalf of Namibia Dairies, I wish you and your families a peaceful, safe and restful festive season. We look forward to building on this momentum and delivering another stellar year in 2026.
