The state-owned Namibian oil and gas company, Namcor, has appointed Mtundeni Ndafyaalako as its acting managing director. This marks the sixth individual to hold the position in an acting or interim capacity within the last three years, highlighting a period of significant leadership instability at the company.

Recent Leadership History

This period of frequent leadership changes began with the suspension and subsequent dismissal of former managing director Immanuel Mulunga in 2023 and August 2024, respectively. Following his suspension, the role was successively filled by Lionel Matthews, Shiwana Ndeunyema, and Ebson Uanguta. Uanguta was later replaced on an interim basis by Victoria Sibeya, before Maureen Hinda-Mbuende briefly assumed the position prior to the latest appointment.

The New Acting Managing Director

Mtundeni Ndafyaalako will serve in the acting role until a permanent managing director is appointed. He joined Namcor in 2018 as a geoscientist and has held positions including manager of new ventures and, most recently, executive responsible for upstream development and production. The company notes he possesses nearly twenty years of experience in the oil and gas sector, both locally and internationally, and brings technical expertise, industry knowledge, and a leadership track record to the position.

Qualifications and Background

Ndafyaalako's academic credentials include a degree in geological engineering, a master's degree in petroleum geoscience, and a certificate in senior management development from the University of Stellenbosch. He is also in the process of finalising his MBA.