Sostenus Wilherm
The Namibia Airports Company (NAC) has been placed under interim leadership after works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi removed five members of the company’s board of directors with immediate effect and appointed temporary directors to oversee the entity during a transition period.
The decision, announced on Tuesday, saw the removal of Elizabeth Renay Peterson, Lucien Lleweyllyn Mouton, Matheus //Gowaseb, Carol Rosheta Williams and Ferdinand Nghiyolwa from the NAC Board.
The ministry said the changes were aimed at ensuring continuity and stability at the state-owned airport operator while strengthening governance structures within the entity.
“The stewardship of public resources demands accountability and transparency at every level. The appointment of an interim board ensures seamless continuity of operations while we reinforce the governance structures required for effective service delivery,” Nekundi said.
Following the removal of the five directors, Nekundi appointed an interim board consisting of Otniel Podewitz, Sophia Kasera, Phillip Iifo, Loide Ekandjo and Natacha Kasera-Kandombo. Kasera-Kandombo will serve as Deputy Chairperson, while the remaining members will serve as board members.
The ministry said the appointments took effect on 4 August 2026 and are intended to guide NAC during the transition period.
The decision was made in terms of Nekundi’s constitutional and legal powers, with the ministry stating that it acted in accordance with Articles 40(a) and 41 of the Namibian Constitution, Section 228 of the Companies Act (Act 28 of 2004), and Article 18 of the Constitution.
According to the ministry, these legal provisions require administrative decisions to be exercised fairly, reasonably and within the boundaries of the law.
The latest changes come as the government continues to place emphasis on corporate governance and accountability within public entities.
The ministry said all entities under its portfolio must uphold high standards of management and responsible use of public resources.
“The ministry remains dedicated to fostering lawful conduct, sound governance, and responsible stewardship of public resources across all entities within its portfolio,” it said.
The interim board is expected to maintain operations at NAC while efforts continue to reinforce the company’s governance framework.
NAC manages Namibia’s major airports, including the country’s main international gateway, Hosea Kutako International Airport, and plays a critical role in supporting tourism, trade and economic activities.
At the time of publication, the minister had not responded to questions sent by the Windhoek Observer seeking clarity on the reasons behind the removal of the five board members, whether any specific concerns informed the decision, and the expected duration of the interim board’s tenure.
The ministry also did not provide details on whether the decision was linked to specific governance, performance or operational concerns at NAC, nor did it indicate how long the interim board will remain in place before a permanent board is appointed.
The changes are expected to attract further scrutiny regarding the future direction of NAC and the government’s plans to strengthen oversight at state-owned enterprises.
