Prinsloo leads as new MD of Namibia Diaries

Phillepus UusikuThe role of managing director (MD) of Namibia Dairies, a subsidiary of the Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group, was officially taken over by Leonie Prinsloo who had formerly held the position of head of marketing. Coming from the world of telecommunications, Prinsloo joined O&L in 2011 as brand manager at Namibia Dairies. Thereafter, she became the company’s head of marketing and also served as acting head of marketing for Hartlief for three months before her promotion to MD. The new MD pointed out that “If you really want something and envision it, you can have it”. A demotion at one point in my career did not scare me, because I knew what was needed to get where I wanted to be.Prinsloo expressed her enthusiasm in taking on the position, but acknowledged that big challenges lie ahead for Namibia Dairies and the dairy industry as a whole. “I am very excited to be starting in this new role, but I know it will not be an easy journey”, she added. It is a major responsibility and I feel very humbled and honoured to have been chosen to lead in this role and to be welcomed as a woman in leadership.“I think women have so much to bring to the world of leadership. I believe it is no longer a man’s world, but a leader’s world and I am glad to see it rising in all spheres of society, whether it be in business or government”, she said.Sustainability, challengesPrinsloo is firmly committed to ensuring the presence of a sustainable industry that is able to provide food security, notwithstanding the challenges and uncertainty farmers are currently facing. “We need to find new opportunities to combat the present risks and that is why, in the case of Namibia Dairies, we will be diversifying our portfolio and business focus”, she added.In order to keep offering our products at affordable prices we need to focus on what we can do and find partners for the activities we can no longer optimally perform. We can extend our product lines to bring customers new products under the brands they have come to know and love, thereby maximising the potential of our existing brands. That is part of what I am looking forward to the most, she said.A lesson that Prinsloo will be carrying with her as MD is that perseverance is key to survival. According to Prinsloo, “My past experiences of being a single mother, completing my master’s degree and the challenges I have faced professionally have shaped me into an absolute survivor.

Prinsloo leads as new MD of Namibia Diaries

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-10

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Prinsloo leads as new MD of Namibia Diaries

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-10

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