NBC closer to getting new DG

THE search for a new director general (DG) at the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation is at an advanced stage, with three corporate executives shortlisted.

Sources close to the NBC said the new board was eager to conclude the protracted process of appointing the new DG.
Stanley Similo, human resources manager at mobile operator Leo, Nedbank head of communications and marketing Rector Mutelo and MTC head of corporate affairs Albertus Aochamub are the three said to have been shortlisted for the hot seat.
Similo and Mutelo are both former NBC employees, having held senior positions at the corporation.
Aochamub is said to be the favourite to take the post.
Sources close to the NBC said Aochamub did not reapply for the job after last year turning down the offer due to the low salary that came with the job.
It is believed Aochamub was headhunted because Information Minister Joel Kaapanda and new NBC board chairman Sven Thieme hold him in high regard.
When contacted for comment, Thieme said that the board would not comment on any possible candidates until the process was completed.
Talks between Aochamub and the national broadcaster failed in May last year after he turned down an annual salary of about N$1 million.
MTC subsequently raised his salary to keep him, it is understood.
The question of salary could resurface, since Government is trying to bring down the salaries of parastatal bosses and executives to a par with civil servants’ salaries.
Another name that has kept popping up is that of NCCI CEO Tarah Shaanika. But it would appear that he did not make the shortlist despite talk that he was one of the favourites to get the job.
Ten people have served as NBC DG in full-time and acting capacities since Independence.
Those in the know attribute the lack of interest in the position to recent political interference in the running of the national broadcaster.
In April this year, the search for a DG was put on ice after reports that Minister Kaapanda and the board could not agree on the choice of DG.
At the centre of the matter was the editor of the Swapo newspaper Namibia Today, Asser Ntinda. It was said that Ntinda was the board’s favourite but that Kaapanda objected to him being shortlisted. Kaapanda flatly denied the allegation.