City panel wants Namdeb boss

A PANEL of experts has recommended that the current general manager at diamond giant Namdeb takes over as the next chief executive officer at the City of Windhoek.

Although most key officials involved in the process are tightlipped, those in the know confirmed to The Namibian that the panel chose Namdeb general manager Riaan Burger to take over the most powerful local authority position in the country.

He secured the nod for the job ahead of Erongo RED chief executive Robert Kahimise, who came second; followed by Sanlam Namibia chief executive Tega Shiimi ya Shiimi, who came third; and former Social Security Commission chief executive Kenandai Tjivikua who ended fourth.

Efforts to get comment from Burger were unsuccessful. His personal assistant told The Namibian that he was in a meeting. Burger’s LinkedIn account shows that his qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, and a master’s degree in business administration from Stellenbosch University in South Africa.

He worked at Namdeb as engineering manager from 2006 to 2008, then worked as Namdeb’s head of strategic projects from March 2007 until 2011 when he was promoted to general manager of the powerful diamond company.

Last year, the municipality appointed a committee led by Ohlthaver & List group chairman Sven Thieme to help the city find a new boss.

Thieme confirmed to The Namibian yesterday that they made their recommendation, and hope that it will be considered. He declined to confirm or deny that Burger has been recommended to take over the hot seat at the city.

“It’s now up to the management committee to decide,” he said, adding that a job offer will still have to be made to their preferred candidate.

Thieme’s fellow committee members include Namport chief executive Bisey /Uirab; presidential adviser Inge Zaamwani-Kamwi; chief regional officer of the Khomas Regional Council Clement Mwafila, and finance permanent secretary, Ericah Shafudah.

The panel was brought in by Windhoek mayor Muesee Kazapua after councillors were accused of pushing for their favourite candidates. Kazapua declined to comment on whether Burger has been recommended.

Now that the recommendation has been made by the panel, the next task is for the management committee, consisting of Swapo councillors and city executives, to discuss the decision of the panel.

The management committee will in turn consult urban minister Sophia Shaningwa on their decision. Kazapua confirmed that a special management committee meeting will be held this month to discuss the matter.

Some sources said there are concerns that some councillors and executives might cook the recommendations to ensure that the next city boss will not expose their past misdeeds at the muncipality.

Kazapua is now in a catch-22 position of either endorsing the suggestion by the panel he appointed, or be influenced by politicians and executives at the management commitee to go against the recommendation of the panel.

He has stayed clear of any controversy ever since he took over as mayor of the City of Windhoek in 2014. However, he has not been afraid to publicly disagree with his Swapo comrades during council meetings.

Kazapua yesterday confirmed that his office received the recomendation, and insisted that the panel consists of credible people whose recommendations will be discussed and respected. He maintained that the process of finding the next chief administrator will be transparent and fair.

This is not the first time that the panel is making a recommendation. Last year, they offered the city two options. One was to headhunt a candidate, or to give the job to Agatha Mweti, the Otjiwarongo municipality’s human resources executive.

Mweti was supposed to get the job on condition that she is appointed with an adviser, who would guide her for the first two years.

The Windhoek Municipality chose to headhunt instead.