The Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) has appointed Thimoteus Kativa as the new Chief Executive Officer of its Northern Communal Area (NCA) subsidiary.
This comes as the entity navigates the handover of the Katima Mulilo Abattoir following the expiry of its agreement with the Zambezi Abattoir and Meat Processing Company (ZAMCO).
Kativa’s appointment took effect on 1 May 2026 under a five-year fixed-term contract.
The Rundu-based subsidiary has been central to maintaining operations at the Katima Mulilo Abattoir since entering into a Memorandum of Agreement with ZAMCO in April 2021, after challenges emerged in operationalising the facility.
Meatco Interim Chief Executive Officer, Ambassador Albertus Aochamub, said ZAMCO’s agreement with Meatco expired on 15 April 2026 and both parties are now implementing a structured handover process expected to conclude by the end of June.
“On 10 April 2021, Meatco NCA entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Zambezi Abattoir and Meat Processing Company (ZAMCO) to operationalise and stabilise the Katima Mulilo Abattoir after ZAMCO, which had initially been awarded the lease to operate the facility, encountered challenges in fully operationalising the abattoir,” Aochamub said.
“Over the past five years, Meatco NCA has played an important role in maintaining operations, supporting producers, and sustaining market access within the region.”
He said Kativa’s appointment comes at a critical time for the subsidiary.
“Mr Kativa’s appointment therefore comes at a critical time as the subsidiary continues to strengthen operations and manage key strategic transitions within the Northern Communal Area,” he said.
Kativa previously served as Manager for Livestock Procurement within the NCA subsidiary and has been closely involved in livestock and agribusiness operations in northern Namibia.
He also served as a board member of the Namibia National Farmers Union from 2017 to 2023 and currently sits as an executive member of the Kavango East Regional Farmers Union.
Speaking on his appointment, Kativa said his focus would be on stabilising operations and strengthening confidence among stakeholders.
“I am deeply honoured by the confidence placed in me to lead the Meatco NCA Subsidiary at this important time. My focus will be on strengthening stakeholder confidence, stabilising operations, and working collaboratively with producers, employees, clients, and partners to support the long-term sustainability of the business,” he said.
Aochamub said the Meatco Group leadership was confident Kativa would drive the subsidiary’s strategic objectives.
“The entire Meatco Group leadership congratulates Mr Kativa on his appointment. We are confident that he will drive the strategic objectives of the NCA Subsidiary in alignment with Meatco’s broader mandate of building a profitable, sustainable, and producer-centred business,” he said.
Established in 2021, Meatco NCA manages the Rundu, Eenhana, Outapi and Katima Mulilo abattoirs, as well as the Ongwediva meat processing plant, which is yet to be commissioned.
