Nedbank Namibia’s new green head office has received a six-star rating from the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA), making it the first building in Namibia to receive this accolade.
The building was designed in 2022 with sustainability and environmental impact in mind, featuring energy- and water-saving solutions such as a solar panel roof structure and rainwater harvesting systems.
“It is a significant achievement for Namibia as it showcases the quality of Namibian workmanship. Our hope is that it will inspire other businesses in Namibia to adopt more sustainable practices. As one of the major players within corporate Namibia, we are constantly looking for ways to do good for Namibia and achieving such a rare milestone provides great sustenance for our efforts in this regard,” said Nedbank Namibia Managing Director Martha Murorua.
Murorua expressed her profound appreciation for everyone who worked on the green head office project. “It is a remarkable accomplishment – not only for Nedbank but for Namibia at large. Nedbank’s commitment to sustainability and positive social impact puts the bank among world-class leaders in building practices—setting an inspiring example of what can be achieved through collaboration. The six-star rating is a testament to our collective dedication and perseverance. Let’s keep pushing forward towards even bigger achievements,” said Murorua.
“Our new head office is also a symbol of our commitment to supporting the local economy and creating job opportunities for the people of Namibia. With 97% of the contract value allocated to Namibian companies and 100% of our professional teams being Namibian, this building showcases the collective positive impact we can have on empowering and supporting local capacity development. The employment of roughly 400 people, with up to 300 on site each day, is a further testament to our commitment to making a difference in the lives of Namibians.”
Pewer Fourie, a representative of the Emcon Consulting Group, who was part of the design team and managed the building project, said some buildings in Windhoek have achieved a five-star rating, which in itself represents national excellence. “Global and social pressures around sustainability will undoubtedly lead to more building owners adopting green designs – not only from a sustainability perspective, but also from a reduced operational cost and more attractive funding perspective.”
Namibia Construction (Pty) Ltd, the principal contractor on the project, said it was proud to be leading the way in facilities with this certification and striving to make a positive impact as a responsible corporate citizen. “The six-star rating represents their commitment to best-practice design and construction methods that create comfortable and sustainable spaces.”
The architects from Kerry McNamara Architects Inc, who are corporate members of the Green Building Council of Namibia, worked thoughtfully to execute the new Nedbank campus with the environment and employee well-being in mind.
The building features abundant external views and natural light, which decreased reliance on artificial illumination during daytime hours, creating a more inspiring environment for employees and clients.
The architects also implemented a network of recycling facilities and convenient amenities for cyclists such as lockers and showers to promote sustainability and healthier lifestyle choices for employees.
In addition, the sustainability consultant, Janus van der Merwe, said their goal is to educate as many Namibians as possible about the benefits of sustainable building design and construction. “Nedbank took the first step in the right direction, and future developers would be smart to follow suit.”
Overall, the contractors and architects involved in the project praised the sustainability efforts of Nedbank Namibia and expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to work on such an innovative and environmentally conscious building project.
