The Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia announced that Vehaka M. Tjimune will assume the role of chief executive officer on 1 September 2026, part of efforts to bolster the nation’s livestock industry.
With over 37 years guiding agri-food initiatives in Namibia and throughout the Southern African Development Community, Tjimune has occupied senior managerial and policy roles in government bodies, producer groups, private enterprises, and international development agencies.
The LLPBN notes that Tjimune earned a master’s qualification from the University of Reading in the United Kingdom and possesses specialist knowledge in agricultural policy, livestock development, governance, corporate strategy, institutional reform, stakeholder engagement and change management.
His professional trajectory includes roles in strategic leadership, driving institutional change, and supporting partnerships throughout the agricultural value chain.
Prior to this new post, Tjimune acted as Senior Policy Advisor for Agriculture and Land at GIZ, delivering strategic policy advice and institutional assistance to Namibia’s agri-food arena. Earlier executive appointments saw him at the Namibia National Farmers Union and at Meatco, handling livestock procurement, producer services, stakeholder relations and corporate affairs.
The LLPBN Board stated that Tjimune’s background and leadership are expected to reinforce the body’s charge to promote, regulate and advance Namibia’s livestock and livestock-product sector. The board added that his broad experience, strategic outlook and cooperative leadership approach should further enhance the mandate of promoting, regulating and developing the industry, while supporting sustainable growth, innovation and value creation for all stakeholders.
At the same time, Namibia is evaluating a fresh foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) levy intended to generate financing for actions that safeguard the livestock sector against the disease. Anja Boshoff, LLPBN’s Executive for Quality Assurance, indicated that the suggested levy could boost the industry’s preparedness and resilience.
“There has been talks about an FMD levy lately, an additional levy, so we can build resilience within our livestock sector,” Boshoff said.
Under the proposal, both purchasers and sellers of livestock would contribute, in contrast to the current levy that applies only to sellers. Boshoff explained that monies gathered from this levy would be segregated and allocated solely to FMD prevention, preparedness and control initiatives.
She added that the levy might be calibrated at roughly 0.76 % of a livestock transaction’s value, though the precise rate remains to be determined.