NEWLY elected paramount chief of the ovaherero people, Vekuii Rukoro will not resign from his position as CEO of meat processor, Meatco.
Rukoro has in the past also served as CEO of Sanlam Namibia and FNB Namibia.
“The role of paramount chief of the Ovaherero people is one I have proudly taken up. At the same time, I am still the Chief Executive Officer of Meatco. Both these roles are very important, to specific groups and to the Namibian nation as a whole,” Rukoro told The Namibian yesterday.
Meatco is the country’s biggest exporter of meat to the European Union.
Rukoro said he has carefully weighed the responsibilities of his different roles before making his decision.
“Yes, I will continue as Meatco CEO. My work at the company is not yet done and I have a responsibility towards the staff and producers to finish what I started. At the same time I will fulfil the obligations required of me in my capacity as the paramount chief of the Ovaherero people,” he said.
Rukoro said at Meatco he has a team of highly-skilled and capable employees, ‘in fact they are world class, who help me to steer Meatco.’
Rukoro said his management style revolves around empowering his executive team to the best of his abilities.
“Although we determine the goals and the strategy of Meatco together and with the advice and guidance of the board, my executive team at Meatco is very capable of running the various departments and executing Meatco’s strategy,” he said.
He said his role will be to continue to provide leadership, help set the direction of Meatco and to be available as key resource for his executive team and provide guidance.
“I also have significant support in my role as paramount chief and servant of the Ovaherero people. My role as the paramount chief of the Ovaherero people is a traditional, non-remunerated responsibility where I have access to capable advisers and a strong traditional support structure,” Rukoro added.
He said there is also no law that requires him to relinquish his Meatco duties to serve in his traditional leadership role.
“In fact, there are many traditional leaders serving in leadership roles in large companies in Namibia and even government,” he said.
Rukoro said he will be mindful to carry out his Meatco duties during Meatco’s time and afterwards attend to his chieftainship responsibilities.
“If these times conflict, I will make the necessary arrangements to accommodate both responsibilities,” he said. He said he has the backing of the Meatco board to carry out both roles.
