Meatco appoints Mwilima as CEO
Three years after Meatco and its former CEO parted ways, the company has hired a new head.
Meatco has appointed Mushokabanji Mwilima as its new CEO, effective 1 February.
The appointment comes nearly three years after Meatco and its former CEO Vekuii Rukoro parted ways in March 2017 after he was initially suspended.
Mwilima currently holds the position of executive director at the Namibia National Farmers Union and was also a former Meatco board member.
Acting Meatco board chairperson Ronald Kubas yesterday said that the search for a suitable candidate was a long and vigorous process and was only finalised in December last year. According to Kubas the company went through three rounds of recruitment and was finally successful in the third round.
In November last year 15 applications were received for the position, but four were disregarded for being received late.
The other 11 applications were then handled by an independent recruitment agency to ensure transparency in the process. Five applicants were shortlisted for interviews with a board committee, but one applicant dropped out. Mwilima was finally selected as the top candidate for the position.
Kubas said during this time the organisation was served by several executives who were acting as CEO on a rotational basis and managed Meatco through a very difficult time when it adopted a turnaround strategy.
“All executive positions have now been filled and more so the strategic position of the CEO, thus the organisation is now stable.”
Kubas further said that Dr Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun, who had served on the board for six years, resigned as board chairperson after becoming a member of the National Assembly.
He said according to the Meat Corporation Act, members of parliament cannot serve as board directors.
“Thus, for this reason, also in line with good governance, Namundjebo-Tilahun has resigned as chairperson of the Meatco board. Nonetheless, it is business as usual.”
Kubas further said that the current board's term is expiring February and nominations for new board members have been sent to agriculture minister Alpheus !Naruseb.
“We are awaiting the appointment,” he said.
Mwilima, who was a board member of Meatco, resigned from the board on 9 November.
Some of his credentials include a master's degree in governance and public leadership from Wits University, a Master of Philosophy degree in corporate strategy from the University of Pretoria, and a postgraduate diploma in leadership development from the University of Stellenbosch.
He also has an honours degree in public administration from the University of Stellenbosch, a BA degree in communication from the Namibia University of Science and Technology and a national diploma in agriculture from the University of Namibia.
Mwilima's term as CEO will be for five years subject to renewal.
“Given his experience, credentials and industry insight, we have no doubt that Mwilima will take the organisation to greater heights with the current competent team of executives at Meatco, a supportive management and a skilled workforce and, most importantly, our livestock producers as well as key industry stakeholders,” said Kubas.
ELLANIE SMIT
The appointment comes nearly three years after Meatco and its former CEO Vekuii Rukoro parted ways in March 2017 after he was initially suspended.
Mwilima currently holds the position of executive director at the Namibia National Farmers Union and was also a former Meatco board member.
Acting Meatco board chairperson Ronald Kubas yesterday said that the search for a suitable candidate was a long and vigorous process and was only finalised in December last year. According to Kubas the company went through three rounds of recruitment and was finally successful in the third round.
In November last year 15 applications were received for the position, but four were disregarded for being received late.
The other 11 applications were then handled by an independent recruitment agency to ensure transparency in the process. Five applicants were shortlisted for interviews with a board committee, but one applicant dropped out. Mwilima was finally selected as the top candidate for the position.
Kubas said during this time the organisation was served by several executives who were acting as CEO on a rotational basis and managed Meatco through a very difficult time when it adopted a turnaround strategy.
“All executive positions have now been filled and more so the strategic position of the CEO, thus the organisation is now stable.”
Kubas further said that Dr Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun, who had served on the board for six years, resigned as board chairperson after becoming a member of the National Assembly.
He said according to the Meat Corporation Act, members of parliament cannot serve as board directors.
“Thus, for this reason, also in line with good governance, Namundjebo-Tilahun has resigned as chairperson of the Meatco board. Nonetheless, it is business as usual.”
Kubas further said that the current board's term is expiring February and nominations for new board members have been sent to agriculture minister Alpheus !Naruseb.
“We are awaiting the appointment,” he said.
Mwilima, who was a board member of Meatco, resigned from the board on 9 November.
Some of his credentials include a master's degree in governance and public leadership from Wits University, a Master of Philosophy degree in corporate strategy from the University of Pretoria, and a postgraduate diploma in leadership development from the University of Stellenbosch.
He also has an honours degree in public administration from the University of Stellenbosch, a BA degree in communication from the Namibia University of Science and Technology and a national diploma in agriculture from the University of Namibia.
Mwilima's term as CEO will be for five years subject to renewal.
“Given his experience, credentials and industry insight, we have no doubt that Mwilima will take the organisation to greater heights with the current competent team of executives at Meatco, a supportive management and a skilled workforce and, most importantly, our livestock producers as well as key industry stakeholders,” said Kubas.
ELLANIE SMIT
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article