Maguire Mulder’s legacy of passion and purpose at Coca-Cola

Maguire Mulder is known for his charisma, warmth and genuine interest in people. A natural connector, he builds relationships with ease and leads through empathy and respect. Whether engaging with colleagues as the commercial director at Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) in Namibia, interacting with customers or mentoring young talent, he consistently brings a personal touch to every interaction. Beyond his professional persona, Mulder loves culture and style. He embraces Namibia’s rich diversity and enjoys learning from different perspectives, both locally and abroad. His travels have shaped his worldview and leadership approach, blending tradition with innovation. With a sharp eye for fashion, Mulder 's signature style reflects his confidence and attention to detail, qualities that shine through in both his wardrobe and his work.Mulder 's foundation in leadership and commercial strategy is supported by a strong educational background. He holds a national diploma in marketing and has completed several leadership development programmes, including the Manage Talent Development Programme through Coca-Cola South African Bottling Company SABCO, an MBA and the Executive Talent Development Project. These experiences, along with various intercompany trainings, have equipped him with the tools to lead with insight and a forward-thinking mindset.Vision into reality His authenticity has been a constant throughout Mulder 's remarkable career at CCBA.Starting in 2001 as an account manager, he quickly rose through the ranks, taking on roles such as area sales manager, promotions manager, marketing activations manager and trade marketing manager. Each position added depth to his understanding of the business and sharpened his strategic acumen.After a brief period outside the company, Mulder returned in 2013.One of his most notable achievements has been the launch of the Manual Distribution Centre (MDC) concept in Namibia, a game-changing initiative that enhanced outlet saturation and streamlined route-to-market operations. It was a bold move that showcased his ability to turn vision into reality.Another highlight was the Under the Cap (UTC) promotions campaign, which saw entries exceed the total population of Namibia. This extraordinary success reflected Maguire’s deep understanding of consumer engagement and his ability to create moments that resonate far beyond the point of sale. The campaign was relaunched in 2025, with CCBA giving away prizes worth over N$1 million.Pushing forward Today, as commercial director for Namibia, Mulder leads with a blend of experience, insight and empathy. His role spans sales and marketing, revenue growth management, commercial capability development, and more. At the core of his leadership is a simple yet powerful philosophy he coins as “lead by example, stay close to your team and never lose sight of the human element.” Mulder sees his role as the bridge between strategic goals and daily operations. “Maintaining the basics is always a good platform to start off with,” he says. “But we must also stay above the learning curve and keep pushing forward.”His vision for CCBA’s growth is rooted in empowerment. He motivates his team to strive for excellence, encourages continuous learning and fosters a culture where innovation thrives. For Mulder, success isn’t just about hitting key performance indicators (KPIs), it’s about building a legacy of impact, one step at a time. More than a beverage His passion for the Coca-Cola brand runs deep. He is drawn to its emotional resonance, its cultural leadership and its ability to bring people together. “Coca-Cola is more than a beverage,” he says. “It’s a symbol of shared moments, tradition, and global impact.” During the Covid-19 pandemic, Mulder saw first-hand the strength of CCBA’s culture. Teams rallied together, supporting one another through unprecedented challenges. It was a moment that reaffirmed his belief in the power of people and the importance of leading with empathy.To aspiring leaders, Mulder offers a message of hope and resilience: “No matter how tough it feels sometimes, remember the sun will shine again tomorrow. Remain positive, find the opportunities in both the market and yourself, and never stop improving, even if it’s just one step at a time.”

Maguire Mulder’s legacy of passion and purpose at Coca-Cola

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-12

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Maguire Mulder’s legacy of passion and purpose at Coca-Cola

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-12

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