NBC names interim Director General

THE Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) has a new boss, albeit only temporarily.The appointment of Stanley Simataa as the broadcaster’s new Acting Director General was officially announced by NBC Board Chairman Ponhele Ya France on Friday.

Simataa, currently employed as Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, will come at no added expense to the NBC, Ya France told representatives of the media on Friday, and his salary remains the responsibility of the said ministry. He will act as Director General until the board appoints a permanent Director General.The closing date for applications for the post is January 20.The NBC board of directors, under the stewardship of Ya France has been running the NBC ever since former DG Gerry Munyama was suspended on November 15 last year, following charges of fraud allegedly committed against the NBC.Munyama resigned from his post shortly thereafter, and now awaits trial on criminal charges of fraud or alternatively forgery and uttering.Simataa said on Friday that, although his appointment is temporary, he intends to look at the problems currently facing the cash-strapped State broadcaster and play a positive role in turning it around.”It’s not my intention to come here and count the days, say a few prayers in between, and wait for more time to pass,” Simataa assured the public.Ya France called on NBC staff, the public and the media to give their support to the new DG during his stint there, saying that Simataa is known to be “an efficient and tough manager, and a stern administrator”.Although stating that he had not applied for the permanent position yet, Simataa did not rule out submitting an application, saying there was still time to do so.Simataa has previously held the position of Director in the Office of the Speaker of the National Assembly, and was also the personal assistant to President Hifikepunye Pohamba while he was Minister of Home Affairs and Lands.He will act as Director General until the board appoints a permanent Director General.The closing date for applications for the post is January 20.The NBC board of directors, under the stewardship of Ya France has been running the NBC ever since former DG Gerry Munyama was suspended on November 15 last year, following charges of fraud allegedly committed against the NBC.Munyama resigned from his post shortly thereafter, and now awaits trial on criminal charges of fraud or alternatively forgery and uttering.Simataa said on Friday that, although his appointment is temporary, he intends to look at the problems currently facing the cash-strapped State broadcaster and play a positive role in turning it around.”It’s not my intention to come here and count the days, say a few prayers in between, and wait for more time to pass,” Simataa assured the public.Ya France called on NBC staff, the public and the media to give their support to the new DG during his stint there, saying that Simataa is known to be “an efficient and tough manager, and a stern administrator”.Although stating that he had not applied for the permanent position yet, Simataa did not rule out submitting an application, saying there was still time to do so.Simataa has previously held the position of Director in the Office of the Speaker of the National Assembly, and was also the personal assistant to President Hifikepunye Pohamba while he was Minister of Home Affairs and Lands.