A new leadership chapter has begun at the National Fishing Corporation of Namibia (Fishcor), with a newly appointed seven-member Board tasked with strengthening governance, tightening financial controls and restoring public confidence in the state-owned fishing corporation.
The new Board formally received its letters of appointment from the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Inge Zaamwani, yesterday, 10 September, marking the start of a three-year term.
The appointments come at a critical time for Fishcor, with the Minister making it clear that the new leadership must move beyond commitments and deliver measurable improvements in governance, accountability and performance.
The Board brings together expertise from the public and private sectors, covering environmental science, law, finance, business management, governance and human resources.
Teofilus Nghitila takes over as Board Chairperson, with Josefina Nekongo serving as Deputy Chairperson.
Other members are Dr John Steytler, Edmund Buys, Ndeyapo K.O. Ekandjo, Epsom Jossop and Alisa Jacob. Zaamwani said the Board carries a major responsibility to strengthen Fishcor’s institutional foundations and rebuild confidence in the corporation.
“Fishcor requires strong governance, accountability and strategic leadership,” Zaamwani said, stressing that the Board must ensure the corporation operates effectively, transparently and in accordance with its mandate.
Among the Board’s immediate priorities is the finalisation and implementation of Fishcor’s Integrated Strategic Business Plan, which is expected to provide a clear direction for the corporation and establish measurable priorities.
The Minister also placed strong emphasis on financial governance and internal controls, warning that legal, financial and governance matters must be properly managed.
The Board has further been tasked with ensuring that conflicts of interest are declared and appropriately addressed, reinforcing the need for transparency and ethical leadership. Zaamwani said Fishcor’s future strategy must also align with the priorities of Namibia’s Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), particularly in supporting sustainable economic development, food security and job creation.
The Board will operate within the framework of the Companies Act, Fish Corporation of Namibia Act, Marine Resources Act and relevant fisheries policies. The Minister expressed confidence in the new leadership, but the challenge before the Board is clear: turn governance promises into results, strengthen accountability and restore public trust in Fishcor.
For Fishcor, the new Board represents more than a change in leadership. It is a test of whether stronger governance can translate into a more transparent, accountable and effective corporation.
By Rudi Bowe
