WINDHOEK – Minister of Trade and Industry, Calle Schlettwein, has officially appointed Gideon Shilongo, Group Director: Corporate Relations at the Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group of Companies as Commissioner of the Namibia Competition Commission.
Asked what the new appointment means to him, Shilongo said: “To me the new appointment means that we are all called upon to serve our country in whatever capacity deemed feasible. This is not only an opportunity to serve my country but also an honour to make my contribution.”
Shilongo further stated that with his exposure to business realities at O&L, he would be able to help NaCC to fulfil its mission in terms of the letter and spirit of the laws under which it was created. He believes the NaCC will make use of the business sector input into its board deliberations, thereby enabling better informed decisions.
O&L Executive Chairman, Sven Thieme, congratulated Shilongo on his appointment and said: “We are immensely proud of this assignment bestowed upon Gideon Shilongo, being one of us, as this is in line with our purpose ‘Creating a future, enhancing life’, our vision and values as well as our commitment to cultivate talent and leadership development where possible, because of the O&L Group’s belief in the leadership potential of every individual. Furthermore, the appointment is testimony of the value of investing in people who are passionate about advancing our country. We are confident that Shilongo will not only add value to the NaCC by sharing his insights and knowledge and contributing to the journey of Vision 2030.”
Shilongo, who is one of the O&L members who are directors of boards outside the O&L Group, said: “The group has been investing heavily in various leadership development programmes for its workforce from which I have personally also benefitted immensely. Given the diverse business portfolio that we have, the various markets in which we operate as well as many global JV partners we have and to which we have been exposed, I would say that some of us have been privileged in experiencing best business practices that not many Namibians have access to. If this is what one means by cultivating leaders, then certainly this is the case with our group.”
For people aspiring to serve on company boards, he advised that there is nothing wrong for anyone to aspire serving on any board, as long as such person’s interest is driven by a desire to make a positive contribution and nothing else.
“To be a company director brings with it major personal responsibilities as directors are held personally accountable for what the companies or institutions under their care do or do not do.”
He added that one has to re-prioritise and re-arrange some of his/her existing responsibilities in order to do justice to assignments such as being on a board of directors.
“I therefore need to manage my time in such a way that any potential conflict does not arise. These new assignments are an integral part of my working life at O&L, because this is in line with our group purpose ‘Creating a future, enhancing life’ as well as our value system of doing our best in making Namibia – and by extension, the world – a better place for all,” said Shilongo.
Shilongo gained business experience from previous roles in key Namibian institutions such as the Council of Churches in Namibia; the Ministry of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development; the Development Centre for Research, Information, Action in Africa (CRIAA), the Ministry of Environment and Tourism; the Namibia Tourism Board as well as the O&L Group.
He currently serves on the boards of Team Namibia; the Namibia Trade Forum as Chairman (since 2012); Offshore Development Company (since 2005); and Wilderness Safaris Namibia (since 2008). In July 2014, Shilongo was appointed as Board Member of the Ohlthaver & List Finance Trading (Olfitra) Board of Directors.