Shalli gets nod for Air Namibia post

Lieutenant General Martin Shalli has been appointed as the new Managing Director of Air Namibia, and will take the hot seat on February 2, a credible source confirmed yesterday.

A highly placed source at the national airline indicated that the former Chief of the Namibia Defence Force (NDF) was chosen as the best candidate from a short-list of eight people who applied.

The position was advertised for the second time after former boss Kosmas Egumbo left after his five year term, leaving Theo Namases to act for almost two years.

Shalli, when called by Namibian Sun on Wednesday, said he was not officially informed about the appointment yet, but was determined to carry out the mandate of the struggling airliner.

Shalli is a former Namibian diplomat and a military commander, heading the army, navy and the air force.

“It will not be business as usual. I will do damage control and get things done. It’s all about having everyone pull in one direction and, as the head, getting things done according to plan,” he said.

Shalli was chosen for the post, with the others apparently falling out due to ‘less experience on managerial level’.

He joins a list of former managing directors of the airline with no formal qualifications in aviation. Some included pharmacists, an engineer and a former teacher.

Shalli says qualifications are important, but feels that anybody who knows how to manage a company can do the job.

“People don’t need qualifications per se in some instances, but I believe that I can do it as I have done my research. I know what will be required in such a position and all I can say is that it is do-able and it surely won’t be business as usual if I get the nod,” he stated.

Asked on what strategy he will use to turn around the financial fortunes of the airline, which yearly depends on Government bail-outs, Shalli insisted that he will know how to do it once he gets appointed.

“There are already systems in place. What is needed is to improve on them and make them work. I am a fast learner and will know what should make that airline tick,” he added.

Challenges
In response to the appointment, another insider said Shalli was relatively unknown among staff and his managerial skills and business acumen can come under question as opposed to his knowledge on politics and the army.

Air Namibia since July 21 last year falls under the Works and Transport Ministry who has to closely monitor its operations and increase its profitability margins.Shalli will be expected to work closely with the line Ministry.

Earlier, Finance Minister Sara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said the main reason why Government has thrown its weight behind the airline that has cost the taxpayer in excess of N$426 million in the last three years, is the fact that it still makes a ‘positive contribution’ to the economy.

Meanwhile, Air Namibia board chairman Ambassador Hinyangerwa Asheeke and his deputy Lea Namoloh were not available to comment on the issue.

Asheeke was not reachable and Namoloh is out of the country on a Bank of Namibia mission, while the Minister of Works and Transport Erkki Nghimtina is still on vacation and only due back at the office later this month.

In 2009 Shalli was suspended from the NDF due to allegations of fraud. Large amounts of money was allegedly given to him by a company from the People's Republic of China working in Namibia from which the NDF bought equipment.

He was replaced by Major General Peter Nambundunga.

Prior to his suspension, Shalli earned three medals for his service; the Order of the Eagle 2nd Class, the Omugulugwombashe Medal, and the Namibia Cross for Bravery in Silver.

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