The TransNamib Board of Directors has announced the imminent departure of Johny Smith CEO of TransNamib effective 31 March 2023.
While he has been offered another five year extension by the Board Smith has decided to pursue other opportunities.
TransNamib Board Chairperson, Theo Mberirua noted that: “We are thankful to Mr. Smith for his dedication to the task of transforming TransNamib over the past five years. During his tenure and during a very challenging period for all organisations in Namibia and globally Mr. Smith managed to achieve key highlights.”
Some of Smith’s achievement include that in its 2019/2020 financial year, TransNamib recorded historic revenue growth with a 10.5% increase in freight revenue in more than a decade giving a promising start to TransNamib’s Integrated Business Plan (ISBP) to transform the company into a sustainable organisation adding value to the Namibian economy. On the other hand TransNamib’s Property Revenue doubled in the past five years while achieving the first unqualified audit in more than 10 years as well as AGM for 7 years in 2020 to clear historical financials.
Further in 2022, the sourcing of N$ 2.6 billion funding from DBSA/DBN came to fruition and given TransNamib’s historical governance issues and its financial constraints, Smith had a mammoth task in sourcing the funding for the business plan. TransNamib revived the Aus to Lüderitz trail after 20 years of dormancy.
“These are only a few of Mr. Smith’s key achievements during his tenure. Mr. Smith leaves TransNamib in a much more favourable condition, very strongly positioned for future growth and we sincerely thank him for his vision, leadership and contributions,” Mberirua added.
TransNamib CEO Johny Smith added: “While it has not been an easy decision, I am confident that TransNamib is better poised to become a sustainable organisation. The staff is led by both a committed Board of Directors and a very solid senior management team, whom I would like to extend thanks to for their support over my tenure.”
The TransNamib Board of Directors will be announcing the way forward for the company before Smith’s exit.