A new chapter for the sheep industry began in Windhoek on Friday with the official launch of NamLamb – a Namibian initiative established to build recognition, pride and greater market opportunities for Namibian lamb – and the announcement of the ten farmers who will represent Namibia against South Africa at the first Lamb Champs Invitational.
The launch at the Agra/Bank Windhoek Ring brought together Namibian farmers, agricultural stakeholders, sponsors and industry partners, marking both the beginning of the NamLamb initiative and an important expansion of the Lamb Champs concept beyond South Africa’s borders.
On 31 October 2026, ten Namibian farmers will travel to Pretoria to compete head-to-head against ten South African farmers at Silver Lakes Farm Hotel.
Two countries. Twenty farmers. One champion.
TEAM NAMIBIA
The ten farmers selected to represent Namibia are:
- Lenn de Jager (also team captain) Khomas region, White Dorper and Van Rooy cross
- Hannes Agenbach Aranos, Dorper
- Franco Burger Leonardville, Dorper and Persian cross
- Andries Steenkamp Gochas, White Dorper
- Louis de Jager Khomas region, Dorper and Persian cross
- Eddie Agenbach Aranos, Dorper and Persian cross
- Wilbie Mostert Southern Kalahari, Dorper and Van Rooy cross
- Hannes Visagie Lower Nossob, Dorper
- Koos Bredenkamp Otjiwarongo, Damara
- Danie Steenkamp Aranos, Dorper
The Namibian finalists were selected at the NAU Agri Braai in April 2026 and were formally introduced as Team Namibia during Friday’s launch.
NamLamb was founded by Namibian sheep producers Lenn de Jager and Hannes Agenbach from a shared conviction that Namibia produces an exceptional product with a story that deserves to be told. Namibia’s sheep industry has been shaped by generations of farmers producing lamb across some of the world’s most demanding landscapes. NamLamb aims to give that product a recognisable identity by connecting the lamb on the consumer’s plate with the farmers, land and production values behind it. Its production philosophy centres on lamb raised naturally on the Namibian veld, hormone-free, with an emphasis on responsible farming and Namibia’s animal health status. The initiative’s ambition extends far beyond the Lamb Champs Invitational. NamLamb intends to develop into a recognised national identity for Namibian lamb, strengthening consumer awareness, celebrating the country’s sheep farmers and helping create sustainable market opportunities locally and internationally.
Lamb Champs co-founder and Saai CEO Francois Rossouw, who attended the launch with Lamb Champs’ Ine Bester, said Namibia represented a natural next step in the growth of Lamb Champs.
“From the beginning, Lamb Champs was created to put the farmer and his product in front of the consumer and allow the quality of that product to speak for itself. What is happening in Namibia takes that idea one step further. We are no longer only creating a platform for individual farmers; we are bringing farmers from two countries together and giving their products an international stage.”
Rossouw said the Invitational had deliberately been built around friendly rivalry between two countries with proud and deeply rooted livestock traditions. “South Africa and Namibia share a long agricultural history, but we also have different breeds, production environments and farming traditions. On 31 October we put those farmers and their lamb on the same stage. Ultimately, the competition will be decided in the simplest possible way – by what tastes best on the day.”
THE FIRST LAMB CHAMPS INVITATIONAL
The Lamb Champs Invitational represents a new international format for the competition. The event will combine agriculture, food, entertainment and competition in a curated hospitality experience, while retaining the principle around which Lamb Champs was built: putting farmers, their stories and the quality of the food they produce at the centre of the event. The South African team will be captained by Gawie van Heerden and will comprise top performers from the 2026 Lamb Champs competitions together with captain’s selections.
Rossouw said the international format could create opportunities well beyond the competition itself.
“Lamb Champs has never simply been about winning a trophy. It gives farmers exposure, creates direct interaction between farmers, consumers and businesses, and gives us an opportunity to tell the story behind the product. The Invitational now allows us to do that across borders.”
The South African team will be finalised at the last regional Lamb Champs, at Hoer Landbouskool Boland on 24 September.
