Namib Desert Diamonds (NAMDIA) has appointed Alisa Amupolo as its new Chief Executive Officer on a five-year term effective from 1 October 2022.
The former PowerCom CEO takes over from Kennedy Hamutenya, whose contract with the diamond company was not renewed.
“The NAMDIA Board, Management and staff are excited to welcome Ms Amupolo to lead NAMDIA and pledge her our full support to transform NAMDIA in becoming a sustainable enterprise and a premium diamond trader of ethically sourced Namibian Diamonds,” NAMDIA Chairperson Bryan Eiseb said on Monday.
The diamond sales and marketing company’s General Manager of Sales and Marketing, Lelly Usiku was the acting CEO following the unceremonious departure of Hamutenya.
NAMDIA said its ongoing legal dispute with Hamutenya after the company’s board decision not to renew his employment contract after five years at the helm of the diamond company, does not impact its decision to appoint Amupolo.
“The legal procedures are still ongoing with the former CEO, Mr Kennedy Hamutenya, and we can unfortunately not provide any further details pertaining to this matter, as it is an ongoing legal matter. The legal procedures are distinct from the appointment of the new CEO and will not impact the incumbent’s appointment, nor her ability to perform her duties and ensure the success of the institution,” the state-owned diamond company said.
NAMDIA was established out of an agreement between the government and De Beers in 2016, to verify whether Namibia was getting the best value of its diamonds by going onto the open market.
