SPCA CEO resigns amid hullabaloo

A furore on social media about the salary paid to the CEO of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) led to her resignation this week.Monique Redecker, who was appointed in the dual role of CEO of the Windhoek SPCA and National SPCA last year, resigned after investigative journalist John Grobler reported on social media last month that she earned N$65 000 a month. Grobler further alleged that in comparison, another long-serving Windhoek SPCA employee earned a mere N$6 500 per month.The SPCA has remained mum on the salaries of the CEO and other staff. In a statement released yesterday, the animal welfare organisation said Redecker did not step down because of the “media statements concerning the CEO’s salary, but because of the slander, defamation and questioning of her integrity in the appointed positions as CEO of SPCA Namibia and SPCA Windhoek by certain members of the public.”While Redecker and the SPCA have caught flak from some members of the public over her alleged salary, others defended her.Many people pointed out that with Redecker at the helm the organisation had increased its revenue and improved its public image.Others warned that the outrage over her alleged high salary at an organisation dependent on donor funding could backfire on those it is meant to help. “Animal welfare in Namibia is taking the beating. The SPCA has not been this dynamic ever in my memory. If this initiative can improve their financial situation and stability long term then all will benefit, employees as well as animals. “Identifying and recruiting donors and volunteers big and small, and dealing with red tape at local and government level, require special talent, initiative and communication skills as well as business know-how and drive. Not so easy to find cheaply,” a concerned member of the public posted recently. She further said that the decision by the SPCA committee to appoint a highly paid CEO was taken as a last-ditch attempt to rescue the flailing organisation. “It was basically at death's door before. And will be again if this carries on.”The numbersAnother member of the public wrote: “The crux of the debate on social media is how much the SPCA should be willing to pay for a professional who has brought about a financial turnaround and who has managed to bring the SPCA's financial house in order.”An income statement released yesterday showed that with Redecker at the helm, the SPCA spent 65.8%, or N$718 859, more on salaries and wages.By cutting other expenses, it nevertheless saved more than half a million Namibian dollars compared to the previous year. Total revenue shot up by 36.8%, or N$1.14 million. Donations increased by more than 251.5%, or N$1.27 million, sales were up 2 454.2%, and revenue from small fundraising events was up N$291 224, representing a 531.7% increase from the previous year, when there was no CEO.Redecker’s decision to host a SPCA dance and auction resulted in a N$127 030 net income for the organisation. Net surplus rose by 1 155%, totalling an increase of N$813 314.In a statement released in early May, shortly after the social media storm erupted, the SPCA Windhoek and SPCA Namibia committee highlighted that in 2017, the SPCA implemented a turnaround strategy that required the services of a CEO.Redecker was appointed on a three-year contract to “improve the credibility and name of the SPCA, improve the financial situation of the SPCA through fundraising and donations, and to implement operational procedures.” It was a full-time job, requiring her to work five days a week.The committee members said Redecker “performed admirably to increase revenue, with the present balance sheet healthier than it has been for some time.”JANA-MARI SMITH

SPCA CEO resigns amid hullabaloo

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Namibian Sun 2025-12-19

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SPCA CEO resigns amid hullabaloo

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Namibian Sun 2025-12-19

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