CHAMWE KAIRA
FirstRand Namibia Ltd. and First National Bank of Namibia have announced the appointment of former Debmarine Namibia chief executive officer Otto Shikongo as chairman of its boards effective 17 October.
FNB said the appointment of Shikongo as board chairperson is in compliance with paragraph 3.59(c) of the listing requirements of the Namibian Stock Exchange.
“The company’s shareholders are hereby advised that Otto Nakasole Shikongo, an independent non-executive director and deputy chairperson of the company, is appointed as chairperson of the boards of FirstRand Namibia Ltd. and First National Bank of Namibia effective 17 October ,” the notice said.
The notice added that, in compliance with paragraph 3.59(b), Peter Grüttemeyer will retire as chairperson of the board on the same day as Shikongo’s appointment.
“The FirstRand Namibia Board and its affiliates would like to extend its gratitude to Peter Grüttemeyer for his years of service and dedication in providing the direction necessary for an effective board,” the notice said.
The notice said the annual general held on 17 October made a number of resolutions approved, including the approval of annual financial statements for the ended 30 June 2024.
The meeting also elected Markus Johannes Lubbe as independent non-executive director, Libertha Dewina Kapere as independent non-executive director, and Rajendra Makanjee as non-executive director.
The meeting also resolved to appoint Lizette Petra Smit as executive director and to elect Jan Coetzee as one of the audit committee members.
The meeting also appointed Markus Johannes Lubbe and Libertha Dewina Kapere as members of the audit committee.
Shikongo retired as CEO of Debmarine Namibia in October 2022, having been at its helm since 2004.
Shikongo is credited for his leadership, engineering knowledge, and business acumen that steered Debmarine through many achievements.
These include the acquisition of a world-class diamond recovery fleet, including the MV SS Nujoma, the world’s first custom-built diamond sampling vessel, as well as the recently inaugurated MV Benguela Gem. Shikongo served the diamond industry for 35 years.
FirstRand-Namibia has shareholding in First National Bank of Namibia Limited, RMB Namibia, and FNB Unit Trusts.
In the 2024 Annual Integrated Report of First Rand Namibia, Grüttemeyer said the board expects First Rand Namibia to continue building a portfolio of multi-branded businesses that provide a broad range of market-leading financial services.
Going forward, he said the board anticipates a disciplined approach to the allocation of scarce financial resources, along with a continued focus on SME management education and the provision of plans to assist small business owners.
