Rundu
The newly-established Kavango East Regional Council (KERC) has appointed its director of finance, human resources, administration and general services, 53-year-old Ludwig Thikusho as its first chief regional officer.
Thikusho has been acting as CRO following the retirement of Sebastian Kantema, who retired after 12 years as chief regional officer of the Kavango Region before it was split into Kavango East and Kavango West. Kantema retired on December 31, 2015.
According to Kavango East Regional Council spokesperson Olavi Haikera, Thikusho was appointed following interviews last month.
“He is now the first CRO for the region as from the 1st of April and is being appointed on a five-year contract,” Haikera confirmed on Monday. “On behalf of the council we congratulate him. He is actually one of the right candidates to lead the regional council and take it to greater heights, as he has got experience and knowledge and the necessary qualifications,” Haikera further elaborated.
Thikusho brings more than 20 years of finance and administration experience. He holds a diploma in local government and administration and a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA).
After completing Grade 12 at Rundu Secondary School in 1983 he started his career as an assistant accountant in 1984 in the former Kavango administration at the department of finance in Rundu, where he worked until 1987. In 1988 Thikusho was sent by his employer at that time, the Kavango administration, to study at the University of Zululand in Kwazulu Natal, South Africa, where he enrolled for a three-year diploma in local government and administration, majoring in public finance, local government and administration. He completed his studies in 1990.
In 1991 Thikusho worked for the Ministry of Health and Social Services in Rundu as an assistant accountant.
At the Ministry of Health and Social Services Thikusho was responsible for managing the finances of the former Kavango and Caprivi regions for the ministry.
In 1994 he was promoted to the post of accountant and in 1995 was appointed senior accountant in the health ministry. In 2002 Thikusho worked as treasurer of Rundu Town Council, a post he held until September 2005, as in October 2005 he was appointed deputy director of finance at the former Kavango Regional Council.
In April 2011 he was promoted to director of finance, human resources, administration and general services. His current appointment takes effect in April.
When asked how he felt about the appointment, Thikusho said he wants to serve the residents of Kavango East Region and wants line ministries to work more closely with his office, especially the ones that implement capital projects.
“I will work closely with both the political and traditional leadership to develop the region to greater heights. That relationship is key,” Thikusho said.
He aims to transform the Kavango East Region into a preferred destination for Namibian and international investors, as well as for tourists.