Managing Director of Mutual & Federal Namibia retires

Gersom Katjimune

Mutual & Federal Namibia, a member of the Old Mutual Group, bid a sad goodbye in July to Gersom Katjimune, who retired from his position as Managing Director. After nearly 12 years with Mutual & Federal and 10 years at the helm, Katjimune has played a significant role in helping to make the company one of the leading short-term insurance providers in Namibia.

“I have really enjoyed my time at Mutual & Federal Namibia,” enthuses Katjimune. “It has given me many opportunities and challenges and I feel privileged to have played a role in an organisation which is looked up to by the rest of the insurance industry.”

Katjimune has helped Mutual & Federal Namibia weather some significant storms over the years, with the first big change, their acquisition of Fedsure General Insurance (FGI), occurring very early into his time with the company in 2001. “That was a particularly proud time for us,” he remembers. “We managed to do the impossible by successfully merging two large companies, getting everyone on board with the new organisation and not having to retrench anyone,” he says.

Under Katjimune’s guidance, Mutual & Federal Namibia has grown from 40 employees in 2000 to its current staff quotient of 90 and its turnover has increased from 75 Million Namibian Dollars to 300 Million. He couldn’t have done this without his team of people and the support of Mutual & Federal in South Africa. “I have worked with some talented and committed individuals during my time at Mutual & Federal,” Katjimune says. “I have also been lucky to have had the confidence and assistance of the Exco in South Africa, which has helped me to achieve many things. My sincere appreciation also goes out to our Exco here in Namibia, who have always shown me support and does a great job of steering the Mutual & Federal ship here in Namibia.”

Katjimune is a graduate of Leicester University in England, where he obtained his MA in Development Economics in 1984. Before joining Mutual & Federal Namibia, he was Government and Public Affairs Manager at BP Namibia Ltd and also served on the Executive Committee of the Windhoek Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Board of Directors for TransNamib and Swakop Lines.

For Mutual & Federal Namibia going forward, he has the outmost confidence and pride in the team which he is leaving behind. “Mutual & Federal Namibia is a solid brand, one that is secure yet dynamic. It has the trust of brokers and is known for its client service, professionalism, its high solvency margin and the maintenance of its underwriting standards,” Katjimune maintains. “Mutual & Federal Namibia is a company to be reckoned with and I look forward to watching from the sidelines as it continues to lead the way in short-term insurance practice.”

Katjimune's successor will be announced shortly and if you have any queries please contact Japie Le Roux on +2764 (061) 207 7111 or email him on jleroux@mf.com.na.

Mutual & Federal is one of the leading short-term insurers in southern Africa.