Mr. Gilbert Mate Mulonda is the General Manager: Agronomy and Horticulture Market Development, and he joined the Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) team on 01 January 2020.
Mr. Mulonda holds a Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Marketing Management, a Bachelor of Agricultural Management Honours, and a Bachelor of Technology in Agricultural Management, as well as a National Diploma in Natural Resource Management (Agriculture). He is currently studying towards a Master’s Degree in Agribusiness Management.
Furthermore, Mulonda brings along a rich 12 years of proven progressive work experience predominately in the agronomy, horticulture and livestock industry, of which 8 years were at management level in various capacities and organizations, leading the operations, including providing overall strategic direction and technical backing to the team. He has also undergone various work-related trainings in strategic management, total quality management system, trade facilitation, marketing, and product quality, as well as food safety standards.
Ms. Lorna T. Shikongo-Kuvare joined the NAB as the General Manager: Regulations on 01 April 2021.
Lorna holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree from the University of Namibia, a Master of Veterinary Public Health from the University of Pretoria, and is currently completing her thesis for the Master of Business Administration at the Namibia Business School.
Prior to joining the NAB, Lorna worked as a Lecturer for various undergraduate courses at Ogongo Campus and as Manager for Quality Assurance at MeatCo. Furthermore, she has been at the center of the strategic development of the certification function at the Namibian Standards Institution for the past ten years. She has contributed to the functionality of Namibia’s National Quality Infrastructure, more specifically in the achievement of accreditation for the Certification of Quality Management System to ISO 9001:2015, the Certification of Food Safety Management System to ISO 22000, the recognition of the Food Safety System Certification 22000 Certification Scheme by the FSSC Foundation, the confirmation of auditor competence with SAATCA for both Quality Management System (QMS) and Food Safety Management System (FSMS).
Over the years, she has led the establishment of a fully-fledged Product Certification Scheme based on ISO/IEC 17065, leading to the certification of products and issuance of the Namibian Standards Mark of Conformity. Her previous experiences include the formulation of technical regulations, leading to their publication in the Government Gazette, and enforcement thereof.
Lorna is a well-known professional in the regional and international standardization structures, and earned significant standings representing Namibia as a member of the Southern African Development Community Cooperation in Accreditation (SADCA) from 2015 to 2021, as Chairperson of the SADCAS Advisory Committee for Certification Bodies Accreditation Scheme (CBAS) from 2018 to 2021, and as Co-Chair of the African Regional Organization for Standardization Conformity Assessment Committee (ARSO/CACO) from 2017 to 2021, and as a Member of the Conformity Assessment Committee of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO/CASCO) since 2011.
Lorna has facilitated trade facilitation partnerships through the conclusion of mutual recognition arrangements by the Botswana Bureau of Standards (BOBS) and South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) as an inspection body to certify Namibian products destined for trade in the Botswana and RSA markets.
She has also contributed and overseen several standard development projects, amongst others the drafting and publication of standards regarding the marketing and commercial quality control of grapes and dates in Namibia.
Ms Cecilia Hinda was appointed as the Manager: Food Safety and Standards Compliance Services in April 2020.
Ms Hinda holds a National Diploma in Microbiology and a Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Technology from the University of Kansas (USA). Furthermore, she completed a Certificate in Total Quality Management (UNISA) and the Management Development Programme (USB).
She brings along a wealth of experience in conformity assessment and, among others, she has worked with the Scientific Services of the City of Windhoek, during the transformation years, as well as served on the National Standards Body since its inception in managerial positions.
Being a Microbiologist at the core and having worked extensively in standardisation, quality assurance, trade facilitation, metrology, food safety, and with ISO 17025 & ISO 17020 implementation, she believes that” Quality should be a business strategy and a way of life”.
Mr Wesele Chikwililwa was appointed as the Manager: Corporate Governance & Communication in October 2020.
Mr Chikwililwa is an admitted legal practitioner in the High Court of Namibia and his areas of specialization include contract law, commercial law, estates law, company law, criminal law, civil litigation, compliance management and auditing as well as Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing.
Mr Chikwililwa holds both a Baccalaureus Juris Degree (B. Juris degree) and a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree from the University of Namibia. Furthermore, he holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Compliance, from the University of Johannesburg, Advanced Diplomas in Advanced Company Law and Pension Funds Law from the University of South Africa as well as an Advanced Diploma in Business Project Management with the University of Cape Town.
Mr Chikwililwa was previously employed at the Namibia Post Limited Company, where he managed numerous legal/business projects relating to the legal compliance aspects of the Financial Intelligence Act 13 of 2012. He is currently responsible for drafting legal opinions and advising the NAB’s business units on legal matters, particularly those relating to the company’s top 10 high-risk legislation. Chikwililwa is also responsible for managing the company’s legal and compliance matters, corporate communication and executes company secretarial functions on behalf of the NAB.
Mr Severin Shilongo was appointed Manager: ICT in November 2019.
Mr Shilongo holds a Masters of Business Administration degree (MBA) from Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), as well as, an honours degree of Information Technology in Computer Networking and a Bachelor’s degree in Systems Administration and Networks, all obtained at the Polytechnic of Namibia (Now NUST).
In addition to the above, Mr Shilongo has a strong background in ICT complemented with leadership and management skills. He has more than 10 years of experience in the ICT field having worked at the Office of the President, Anti-corruption Commission of Namibia as well as Agro Marketing & Trade Agency prior to joining the NAB.
Ms Shamhe was appointed as the Manager: Human Resources and Administration in April 2020.
Ms Shamhe holds an Honours Degree in Human Resources Management, BA (Industrial Psychology), Diploma in Labour and Employment Studies, Diploma in Transformation Leadership, Diploma in Virtue Leadership Development Program, Diploma in Adult Education and Community Development as well as a Diploma in Transformation Leadership. In addition to the above, Ms Shamhe is studying towards a Master of Management (Course Work).
Ms Shamhe has over 12 years of experience in the Human resources field, having worked for different companies namely: Namibia Planned Parenthood Association, Namibia Post Limited and Agricultural Bank of Namibia.
Mr Esegiel Itebeleng Serogwe was appointed as the Manager: Border Control Inspectorate in March 2020.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Honours (UNAM), A certificate in General Management (Southern Business School) and an ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor Certificate (DQS, South Africa, NQF Level 6).
Furthermore, Esegiel has over 16 years of progressive experience in the Agricultural Industry (Livestock and Horticultural industries). He worked for various institutions including the Ministry of Agriculture Water and Forestry, now MAW&LR (Animal Health Technician, Extension Officer, Scientific Officer), UNAM (Research Assistant), Meat Board (Chief FAN Meat) and as a consultant for a couple of NGOs as Agricultural Project Coordinator; of which 6 years were in middle management and 5 years supervisory level.
He has contributed to the piloting and implementation of various projects during his years at various institutions in the Agriculture industry, including the commercialization of post-resettlement farming units in the Khomas region and the Certification of FAN Meat as ISO 9001 certified internationally.
Barbara Snyders-Bock was appointed as a GM for Finance, Admin and HR in February 2020. Prior to that she served as a Financial Manager at the NAB for 19 years’ and was also responsible for Human Resources and Information Technology.
Barbara holds a Bcom degree in Management Accounting. Her strategic approach is the development of structures and systems compliance.
Mr Gerson Kandjungu Kampungu was appointed as the Manager: Research and Policy Development in July 2020.
He holds a Master’s degree in Agriculture Economics Management and a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture (Agriculture Economics).
He previously worked as a lecturer at the University of Namibia (UNAM), specialising in Agricultural Policy Analysis, Development Economics, Resource Economics, Rural Development, and Rural Sociology. Furthermore, he brings along proven research work experience.
He has authored and co-authored research publications in peer-reviewed journals presented research papers at Conferences, and currently contributing a Book Chapter to the book titled: Covid-19: A Global Pandemic, A Namibian Perspective.
Ms Uahengo was appointed as the Manager for Agronomy Market Development in July 2020.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources and a Master Degree in International Trade as well as a Master Degree in Business Administration.
Ms Uahengo has 18 years of work experience in the fisheries and the agriculture sector. She previously worked as a Fish Marketing Information Researcher for internationally funded projects, An Indigenous Natural Product Coordinator with the Millennium Challenge Account Namibia, under the Agriculture Project, as well as a team leader for research registration and research permits at the National Commission for Research, Science and Technology (NCRST). Her professional experience includes project management, trade promotion, market research, value-added analysis, policy development and stakeholder management.
Ms Emilie Abraham was appointed as the Manager: Horticulture Market Development in April 2020.
She holds a Master’s degree: Agribusiness Management (MABM), an honours degree in Agriculture specializing in Agribusiness, a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Specializing in sustainable crop production, and a National Diploma in Agriculture. Furthermore, she is a provisional PhD candidate in Natural Resources Sciences with the University of Science and Technology (NUST).
She is the co-author of numerous agricultural training materials, produced by various developmental projects including GIZ and compiled more than fifty (50) agribusiness related articles published in the domestic newspapers and Agri forum. She has consulted, coached, and capacitated both women and men in agriculture, as well as agricultural teachers and subject advisors for over ten (10) years.
Ms Abraham also served in various positions in the agricultural sector, such as agriculture teacher, Agricultural Technician (AT), Agricultural Farm Inspector (AFI), and Technical Advisor (TA). She is passionate about enhancing food security in the country through knowledge multiplication, and market development.
Dr Fidelis Nyambe Mwazi officially took over the reins of the NAB from the 1st of August 2018. He is a professional scientist in crop science and sustainable agriculture with more than 18 years working experience in plant propagation, academic and research environment, agronomic and horticulture, project management and community services.
Dr Mwazi holds a PhD Degree in Agriculture (Crop Science) from the University of Namibia, his research topic was on: Optimizing non-flooded landscape units to support maize production, Zambezi Region. The overall objective was to use maize as a case study crop to assess possible ways that may optimize the non-flooded landscape units to support arable production in the Zambezi Region.
Dr Mwazi also holds an MSc. degree in Geo-information Science and Earth Observation: (Sustainable Agriculture), obtained at ITC – Institute for Geo-information Science and Earth Observation, now University of Twente in the Netherlands (2006), His research topic was on: spatial analysis of land suitability to support alternative land uses at Excelsior Resettlement project in Oshikoto region.
Prior to his appointment as NAB’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Mwazi worked as a Senior Manager for Standards and Trade at Agro-Marketing and Trade Agency (AMTA) from February 2015 to June 2018. He was mandated to implement statutory rules and regulations of the Agronomic Industry Act, Act 20 of 1992 for compliance by producers and traders involved in production and trading of the agronomic and horticultural products country-wide. The implementation of these rules and regulations in terms of compliance by the industry, as enshrined in the Act, was delegated to AMTA by the Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) in August 2014 after the appointment of AMTA as an Agent of the Board (NAB). Thus, he implemented various compliance programmes for agronomy and horticulture market share promotion, food safety and crop specific marketing standards, inspections of farms and facilities for compliances to Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) and Hazardous Analytical Critical Control Point (HACCP), border control and inland inspectorate as well as quality management aspects.
He also worked as a National Horticulture Manager at the Namibian Agronomic Board from May 2013 to January 2015 responsible to implement the Horticulture Market Share Promotion for controlled crops. In addition, he also worked as a: UNDP/MET Technical Advisor, for Africa Adaptation Project in Namibia from September 2010 – December 2012. The project focused on Building a foundation for a national approach to climate change adaptation (CCA) in Namibia” aimed to strategically enhance the capacity of Namibians to respond to and be prepared for climate change. Additionally, he directed the process for the development of the National Policy on CC and its implementation strategy and Action Plan and also the supervision for the implementation of various CC technical studies and peer reviewed the reports.
Other Job appointments he occupied include, Researcher, Coastal Agriculture & Plant Biodiversity at SANUMARC, Henties Bay, University of Namibia (UNAM) as well as Lecturer for courses such as Horticulture, Agronomy, Basic Plant Production, & Soil Science at Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) and Nursery Superintendent at Development Brigade Cooperation (DBC).
Dr Mwazi also served on the committee of the Indigenous Plant Task Team (IPTT) of the Ministry of Agriculture Water & Forestry, representing the NUST and its objective is to promote the sustainable utilization of Namibia’s indigenous plant resources. He also served as a board member for Team Namibia during June 2013 to June 2016, aimed to promote buy local company of Namibian manufactured and produced products.
His diverse training, academic experience in the horticulture and agronomy industry, scientific and research knowledge, leadership and analytical skills, practical working knowledge of crop production and trading systems in Namibia are indeed essential assets in running the NAB.
Antoinette Pritzen joined the NAB in May 1994 as secretary of the Board and Grain Administrator. In 2003 Antoinette became the Administrative Manager and secretary of the Board, also overseeing the white maize and wheat division.
Still servicing the Board administration, Antoinette became the Manager for White maize and Wheat in 2014. Antoinette holds a Bachelor in Arts degree from the University of Johannesburg and an Honours degree in Political Science from the University of Pretoria.
