Similo stays on as NBC director general for three-month handover as Muinjo takes over

Despite announcing veteran journalist Menesia Muinjo (59) as the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation’s (NBC) new director general, the institution’s board has extended the employment contract of its former director general, Stanley Similo (62), for a further three months.

This has, however, come as a surprise to NBC staff.

Similo’s five-year contract ended last year. Board chairperson Lazarus Jacobs informed the NBC workforce yesterday that Similo has been given three months’ notice to exit.

“In terms of corporate governance, our former director general, Mr Samuel Similo, had to be given three months’ notice contractually for him to exit. But a three-month notice period doesn’t mean he has the power.

“We have an agreement that for the three-month period, we are going to have a handover period. He is not involved in operations,” he said.

Jacobs said Similo would not have to deal with any other operations during this period.

“Don’t call him. Don’t go to him and tell him he doesn’t have the power. As a board, we insisted that there should be a handover document for the next three months, which we need to check. If they finish before that, you will not see him here,” he said.

Muinjo assumed the role of director general yesterday.

Jacobs dismissed claims that Similo remains active within the corporation.

“This is a lie! Menesia started this morning as the full and substantive director general of the NBC. In fact, I am on my way to introduce her officially to staff members. She is seated in the office of the director general as we speak,” he said.

Asked again whether Similo is staying for three months, Jacobs responded by saying “vakwetu!”.

Similo, who served as NBC director general since 2015, declined to comment on the matter, saying he is no longer authorised to speak on behalf of the broadcaster.

“For starters, I’m no longer legally entitled to speak on matters pertaining to the NBC, since I have retired,” he said.

He referred media questions to Jacobs.

Similo is one of the longest-serving directors general of the national broadcaster. Namibia Public Workers Union deputy secretary general Mateus Ndeshikeya yesterday described the decision taken by the NBC as unacceptable, saying Muinjo is not new at the NBC and that the union would not take the matter lightly.

“She has the institutional memory, she is capable. There is no need for the NBC to pay two directors general at the same time,” he said.

Muinjo has been employed by the NBC for almost 36 years.

She served as NBC’s chief news programming officer from September 2014 until she was appointed as director general.

Muinjo has also served as the head of sales in NBC’s commercial services.

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.