Humavindu, Aochamub among 24 vying for Meatco top job

Works and transport executive director Michael Humavindu and Meatco interim chief executive Albertus Aochamub are understood to be among 24 candidates competing for Meatco’s top position as it attempts to recover from falling revenue and historically low cattle throughput.

Meatco has been without a substantive chief executive since Mwilima Mushokabanji’s five-year contract expired on 31 January 2025. Mushokabanji had led the corporation since 1 February 2020, but the board declined to renew his contract despite an earlier Cabinet directive calling for his retention.

Patrick Liebenberg subsequently served as acting chief executive before he was suspended in July 2025 pending an investigation, shortly before his term was due to end. Aochamub took over as interim chief executive on 2 September last year.

Applications for the five-year position closed on 29 May. Sources familiar with the recruitment process said Meatco head of corporate affairs Rosa Thobias and Meatco executive for strategy and business development Isaac Nathinge are also among the applicants.

The corporation is seeking a candidate with at least 10 years’ experience at senior executive level, preferably as a chief executive or managing director, and demonstrated exposure to agribusiness, meat processing or the fast-moving consumer-goods sector.

The recruitment notice says applicants must be able to prove "demonstrated leadership and strategic planning capabilities, ideally with international exposure, within a complex operating environment in the meat processing industry".

The board or its appointed delegate will oversee the recruitment process, while shortlisted candidates will be required to make presentations demonstrating their strategic insight and leadership capabilities.

“The preferred candidate will be subject to a comprehensive vetting and due diligence process prior to final appointment,” the notice reads.

The board has not disclosed how far the recruitment process has progressed, while questions sent to deputy chairperson Stephanie de Klerk two weeks ago went unanswered.

Agriculture ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said this week that the board was expected to recommend a candidate to the ministry.

Broad portfolios

Humavindu was transferred from the Ministry of Finance to the Ministry of Works and Transport as executive director without accounting responsibilities from 1 January.

An economist, he previously held senior positions at the Development Bank of Namibia and the Namibian Competition Commission and served as executive director of the National Planning Commission. Before that, he was deputy executive director responsible for industrial development in the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade.

Humavindu holds a PhD in economics from Umeå University in Sweden, an MSc in finance and investment from Durham University in the United Kingdom and an MA in economics from Stellenbosch University in South Africa.

“I am not able to accommodate your request for engagement on this matter,” Humavindu said when approached for comment.

Aochamub previously served as Namibia’s ambassador to France, with concurrent accreditation to Portugal, Spain, Italy and Monaco, and as the country’s permanent delegate to Unesco.

Before that, he was director general and editor-in-chief of the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation and presidential press secretary before being seconded from the Office of the President to serve as acting chief executive of the Namibia Airports Company between February and August 2018.

Aochamub holds an MBA and a bachelor’s degree in journalism and communication.

Thobias joined Meatco in 2015 and has held senior positions in stakeholder relations, corporate affairs, research and innovation. She currently serves as the corporation’s head of corporate affairs and holds an MPhil in Corporate Strategy from the University of Pretoria.

Nathinge joined Meatco in 2019 and previously served as executive for marketing and sales. Before joining the corporation, he worked in the agriculture ministry, including as acting deputy director for agro-trade and business development.

He holds an MSc in Agricultural Economics from the University of Agricultural Sciences in Bangalore, India, a BSc in Agriculture Economics and Extension from the University of Namibia and a Management Development Programme qualification from the University of Stellenbosch Business School.

Throughput slumps

The successful candidate will take over as Meatco confronts reduced cattle throughput, declining revenue and continued uncertainty over its ability to operate without further financial support.

Group revenue fell by 41%, from N$1.865 billion to N$1.108 billion during the financial year ended 31 January. Meatco attributed the decline mainly to fewer cattle being available for slaughter following successive droughts and the rebuilding of Namibia’s national herd.

Cattle throughput south of the veterinary cordon fence declined by 53%, from 75 268 in the previous financial year to 35 594.

Despite processing fewer cattle and earning less revenue, Meatco reported a profit after tax of N$40.5 million and generated N$73.5 million in positive operating cash flow. Cash reserves increased from N$86.2 million to N$128.3 million, while producers’ equity rose from N$568.3 million to N$701.3 million.

The board said last month that the results indicated the corporation’s turnaround strategy was beginning to yield results despite the difficult operating environment.

Independent auditors, however, identified a material uncertainty about Meatco’s ability to continue as a going concern, citing the sharp reduction in revenue, accumulated losses and the absence of a government allocation for the 2026/27 financial year. The corporation’s accumulated losses stood at N$134.4 million.