New chapter for Ngwangwama
After rising through the ranks at Namibia Wildlife Resorts, Dr Matthias Mpareke Ngwangwama is set to write a new chapter.
Gabby Tjiroze - After working for five years at Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR), Dr Matthias Mpareke Ngwangwama has been appointed as chief officer for strategy and projects, and hopes to elevate the parastatal to greater heights.
His new role comes with expectations and prospects and he believes the team will rally behind the set objectives.
“My new role as chief officer means applying the theoretical and philosophical knowledge into a real-life business management context and translating business theory into business practice. With regard to growing NWR, organisations, including NWR, have hierarchies, structures and departments. This means that my contribution to the growth of NWR is about ensuring that NWR implements the organisational strategy it has developed; ensuring that progress is made in implementing and executing strategy within my sphere of influence,” Ngwangwama said.
He is no stranger to the financial world where he has been employed at various levels, both non-managerial and managerial. He also served as a chief financial officer (CFO) at NWR prior to being appointed to his new position.
“Being the CFO was stimulating in the sense that one was fully engaged 24-7 (always differing aspects to be attended to). Especially the cash flow management function demanded discipline and inventiveness. From that perspective, I enjoyed being CFO and made specific contributions in that context and period of time in NWR’s history and evolution.
“One of the things that preoccupied my mind during my time as CFO was managing the cash flow of the organisation. From that perspective, we ensured that operational obligations were met and that all salaries of our employees were paid on time. I am also glad that at no time was I embroiled in any scandals or controversies, as I was also the chairperson of the tender committee,” said Ngwangwama.
Seeking new opportunities
Ngwangwama brings extensive experience and is ready to raise up NWR to be a leader in accommodation provision on the African continent within the next five years.
He worked for the National Youth Service (NYS) as a finance and human resources executive and prior to that he was the manager for operations at Nampost. He is also a business academic and practitioner, with over 24 years’ experience in the Namibian business and corporate arena.
He said he expects some challenges in his new role.
“Challenges can be overcome through good interpersonal capabilities and networking competencies between departments and team members. Also, they can be overcome by designing and implementing effective monitoring systems, to provide feedback and ensure that all the key NWR departments are executing the key deliverables, as stipulated in the strategic plan,” Ngwangwama said.
Educational background
He holds a PhD in Business Management and Administration from the University of Stellenbosch Business School and also attained an MBA in Business Management and Administration from the Management College of Southern Africa (Mancosa).
“I am part of an organisation that plays a key role in the Namibian economy in providing tourism and hospitality services to Namibians and international clientele, which in a way means an organisation that performs an ambassadorial role of portraying Namibia to international visitors,” Ngwangwama added.
Leisure activities
When he’s not in the office, he enjoys reading books, hiking and going to the gym.
His new role comes with expectations and prospects and he believes the team will rally behind the set objectives.
“My new role as chief officer means applying the theoretical and philosophical knowledge into a real-life business management context and translating business theory into business practice. With regard to growing NWR, organisations, including NWR, have hierarchies, structures and departments. This means that my contribution to the growth of NWR is about ensuring that NWR implements the organisational strategy it has developed; ensuring that progress is made in implementing and executing strategy within my sphere of influence,” Ngwangwama said.
He is no stranger to the financial world where he has been employed at various levels, both non-managerial and managerial. He also served as a chief financial officer (CFO) at NWR prior to being appointed to his new position.
“Being the CFO was stimulating in the sense that one was fully engaged 24-7 (always differing aspects to be attended to). Especially the cash flow management function demanded discipline and inventiveness. From that perspective, I enjoyed being CFO and made specific contributions in that context and period of time in NWR’s history and evolution.
“One of the things that preoccupied my mind during my time as CFO was managing the cash flow of the organisation. From that perspective, we ensured that operational obligations were met and that all salaries of our employees were paid on time. I am also glad that at no time was I embroiled in any scandals or controversies, as I was also the chairperson of the tender committee,” said Ngwangwama.
Seeking new opportunities
Ngwangwama brings extensive experience and is ready to raise up NWR to be a leader in accommodation provision on the African continent within the next five years.
He worked for the National Youth Service (NYS) as a finance and human resources executive and prior to that he was the manager for operations at Nampost. He is also a business academic and practitioner, with over 24 years’ experience in the Namibian business and corporate arena.
He said he expects some challenges in his new role.
“Challenges can be overcome through good interpersonal capabilities and networking competencies between departments and team members. Also, they can be overcome by designing and implementing effective monitoring systems, to provide feedback and ensure that all the key NWR departments are executing the key deliverables, as stipulated in the strategic plan,” Ngwangwama said.
Educational background
He holds a PhD in Business Management and Administration from the University of Stellenbosch Business School and also attained an MBA in Business Management and Administration from the Management College of Southern Africa (Mancosa).
“I am part of an organisation that plays a key role in the Namibian economy in providing tourism and hospitality services to Namibians and international clientele, which in a way means an organisation that performs an ambassadorial role of portraying Namibia to international visitors,” Ngwangwama added.
Leisure activities
When he’s not in the office, he enjoys reading books, hiking and going to the gym.
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