!Gawaxab confident in Kaizemi-Rukata

… as she assumes role as new BoN Banking Services Director

By Hilary Mare

THE Governor of the Bank of Namibia, Johannes !Gawaxab has expressed confidence in Sencia Kaizemi-Rukata who has been appointed as the central bank’s director of banking services with effect from January 1 2021.

Kaizemi-Rukata replaces Sam Shivute, who left the position following his appointment as the Chief Executive Officer of the Namibia Revenue Agency last September.

“I am delighted to have an executive of Ms. Kaizemi-Rukata’s stature joining the management committee of the bank, and confident that she has the experience and skills required for the position. Sencia will assist in realising the vision of the bank. It is important that we have the right management capacity in place to sustain and accelerate our key strategic ambitions. We are further deepening the skills and competencies required to enable the bank to discharge its core mandate,”!Gawaxab said in view of the appointment.

Kaizemi-Rukata is a seasoned banker with extensive experience in the commercial and central banking as well as the corporate environment spanning over 22 years. She joined the Bank of Namibia in 2012 as principal officer: Currency & Banking, in the Banking Services Department. In 2014, she was promoted to the role of deputy director: Currency & Banking, in the same department, where she was responsible for currency management and banking operations, until her recent promotion. She will now be a part of the BoN management committee where she will play a critical role in the growth and development of the bank.

Prior to joining the central bank, Kaizemi-Rukata worked at Nedbank Namibia, where she held various positions including Manager: Private Banking. Her professional career started at Deloitte and Touché in 1998 and she later worked at several corporates before joining Nedbank Namibia in 2005. Last year, she was appointed as the chairperson of the interim board of the Namibia Post and Telecom Holdings (NPTH). Additionally, Kaizemi-Rukata also serves on the Management Council of the Payments Association of Namibia (PAN).

Her academic background includes a Master of Commerce in Business Management (Cum Laude), BComm Honours (Business Management) and Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resources Management obtained from the University of South Africa. Kaizemi-Rukata completed specialised training in Foundational Payment Systems from the Payments Association of South Africa and Banknote Production from Joh Enschede, Netherlands. In 2016, she completed a Senior Management Development Programme with the University of Stellenbosch.

Overall, the department of banking services is responsible for the provision of services to commercial banks and the government. The department issues banknotes and coins to Namibians and visitors which are secure and always guarantees a steady supply to the market. The department also provides security services to the bank’s staff and assets. The Oshakati branch also resorts under the department.