Johny Smith, the former Chief Executive Officer of TransNamib, has been appointed as the CEO of Grindrod Rail, effective 1 April 2023.
The announcement was made by Xolani Mbambo, the Grindrod group CEO, who expressed hope that Smith’s vast experience would bring value to the company’s Ships Agency and Terminal Business.
Smith confirmed the appointment with The Brief and said the position will be based in Namibia.
Grindrod is a leading logistics company that focuses on transportation by road, rail, sea, and air, providing integrated logistical and specialized services.
Smith’s departure from TransNamib comes after five years of service, having joined in 2018.
 It has been reported that the board of TransNamib made a lucrative salary counteroffer of N$2.4 million to entice him to stay and continue with the company’s turnaround plans, but Smith declined the offer.
Last month, TransNamib board chairperson Theo Mberirua commended Smith for his sterling work despite the challenges faced by the company.
Smith was lauded for achieving key milestones, such as recording revenue growth in the 2019/2020 financial year.
Mberirua commended Smith for managing to convene the company’s Annual General Meeting for seven years in 2020, clearing historical financials, while in 2022, he managed to source funds of up to N$2.6 billion from the Development Bank of South Africa and the Development Bank of Namibia.
Prior to his role at TransNamib, Smith was the CEO of the Walvis Bay Corridor Group.
