Stefanus Nashama
The Development Bank of Namibia says information regarding the recruitment process for the Chief Executive Officer’s position is confidential and cannot be shared at this stage.
The DBN board Chairperson, Sarel Van Zyl said this in an interview, adding that they will only provide full information with a comprehensive report once the whole process is done.
“I cannot comment further. There are still other things to be completed regarding the process and they are confidential. I will give you the information with a comprehensive report,” he said.
However, Van Zyl indicated that interviews were successfully conducted and done, but he cannot reveal the names of people who were interviewed since it is not the right time to do so.
He also said the expected outcome will take about a month, and by the end of next month, they will be done with everything.
The position became vacant after the incumbent DBN Chief Executive Officer, Martin Inkumbi announced his resignation last year.
Inkumbi is expected to leave DBN in August this year.
Yesterday, Inkumbi refused to comment on the recruitment process, referring this publication to Van Zyl.
He said the recruitment of the CEO at DBN is the exclusive prerogative of the board, and he is not involved in the process. The position is reportedly applied for by twelve people however, only five of the applicants were shortlisted for the interview.
President Hage Geingob’s economic adviser, James Mnyupe, and City of Windhoek finance executive Jennifer Comalie were reportedly shortlisted for this position. Mnyupe last week said he is not interested in the job.
The other three were DBN Risk and Compliance Executive, Saima Ashipala-Nimengobe, two heads of SME, Robert Eiman and marketing and communication executive, Jerome Mutumba.
Although Inkumbi could not comment on the recruitment process, he, expressed being grateful for the opportunity he was given to work and later lead DBN in the capacity of MD.
“The Bank has given me opportunities to learn and grow. I am also grateful for the support I have enjoyed from my colleagues, the board and the various stakeholders we have worked with, and their indulgence as well, where I fell short,” he said.
Inkumbi added that they have done some great work and achieved some good results despite various challenges.
He also indicated that he has worked with a team of capable, passionate young Namibians, and has no concerns about continuity and further improvements at DBN.
According to him, whatever DBN has achieved cannot be attributed to a single individual. Many personalities in the management and leadership of DBN have contributed ideas and efforts that have impacted and influenced the evolution of the Bank to date.
He said the Bank has enabled the establishment of several business enterprises in Namibia in almost every town.
“Yes, not all of them have been a success, but many are thriving providing goods services and employment. We have also learned from these successes and failures and the evolvement of DBN will continue beyond my time,” he said.
The significant achievement is the building of a robust development finance institution, with the capacity to execute its objectives, of which the main ones are mobilizing financial capital and channelling that financial capital into Namibian infrastructure projects and business enterprises, he further said.
