The appointment of the new National Fishing Corporation of Namibia chief executive officer signifies the “beginning of the new era” to the Fishrot-tainted parastatal, board chairperson Heinrich Mihe Gaomab II said yesterday. 

Alex Gawanab has been named Fishcor CEO to take over the position previously occupied by Mike Nghipunya who was removed after his arrest last year in connection with the Fishrot corruption scandal.

“Yes, I can confirm that Gawanab is the new Fishcor CEO effective 1 December. He came out as the first candidate following the interview and we believe that he is the right candidate for the job,” said Gaomab II
yesterday. 

In July this year, the embattled parastatal re-advertised the position of CEO after it concluded that none of the five candidates interviewed presented the most preferred profile for the post.

A total of 63 applicants responded to the public advertisement and 10 candidates were shortlisted and were requested to partake in a psychometric test by an independent industrial psychologist. 

Following these tests, five candidates were selected based on the outcome, and these individuals were invited to attend an interview on 23 April 2021.

Nghipunya, who was an economist in the fisheries ministry, was never interviewed for the position.

He admitted under cross-examination in his bail hearing that his appointment as CEO was not in accordance with employment procedures at the parastatal.

In April 2021, the company’s interim board appointed Ruth Herunga as the interim caretaker of Fishcor and its subsidiary Seaflower Whitefish Corporation.

Herunga parted ways with the company in September.

Gawanab has worked at Debmarine Namibia, Namdeb and NamWater, Dundee Precious Metals, Swakop Uranium and NamGem Diamond Manufacturing.

The new CEO has a degree from Stellenbosch University in business management and business administration.

 He also has an honours degree in chemical engineering from the University of Cape Town.

ktjitemisa@nepc.com.na