Our Executive Management Team
Chief Executive Officer
Vacant
Lelly Usiku
GM: Sales and MarketingClose
Lelly Usiku - GM - Sales and Marketing
Lelly is currently the head of Sales & Marketing. Previously she served as the Deputy Director of Research at the Bank of Namibia, where she was in charge of the Macro Models and Financial Stability. She has over 15 years of experience in economic and market research & analysis and macroeconomics forecasting. She holds a Masters and an Honours degree in Economics from the University of the Western Cape. She also completed a Senior Management Development Programme at the University of Stellenbosch Business School and holds the Diamond Graduate Diploma from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). She enjoys keeping fit and believes that a healthy body sustains a healthy mind. She is a firm believer that reflective thinking is needed to take lessons from one’s experiences, thus John Maxwell’s quote “Experience is not the best teacher; EVALUATED experience is.” resonates the most with her approach to life.
Sven von Blottnitz
GM: FinanceClose
Sven von Blottnitz - GM: Finance
Sven joined Namib Desert Diamonds (Pty) Ltd as General Manager: Finance in 2017. Previously, he held the position of Chief Financial Officer at the Namibia Student Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF). He is a South African born German national holding a permanent residence and lives in Namibia since 1974. Sven’s experience in the Accounting sector spans over 25 years and encompasses a wide array of fields such as auditing, banking, accounting and treasury. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Science (Business Finance) (University of Cape Town) and a B. Compt (Hons) (UNISA). Sven is registered with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Namibia, South African Institute of Chartered Accountants, Public Accountants and Auditors Board of Namibia and the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Southern Africa. He serves as a trustee and board member on various boards such as the Public Accountants’ and Auditors’ Board, where he is a board member. He is an avid outdoor enthusiast and enjoys camping, going on safaris to observe wildlife and venturing off-the-beaten-tracks to explore nature at its best.
Marvel Tjombonde
Company Secretary & Legal AdvisorClose
Marvel Tjombonde - Company Secretary & Legal Advisor
Marvel joined Namib Desert Diamonds (Pty) Ltd in 2017 and is currently the Company Secretary & Legal Advisor. Formerly, she held the position of Company Secretary at Old Mutual Namibia and Roads Authority. She is an Admitted Attorney of the High Court of Namibia, with experience spanning over a decade in Company Secretarial, Corporate Legal and Commercial Law. She holds a Baccalaureus Legum (LLB) (University of Pretoria) and completed the Senior Management Development Programme at the University of Stellenbosch Business School. Marvel has an inquisitive spirit and enjoys travelling, interacting with young and ambitious individuals and visiting art and craft markets. “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou. This quote reminds her to be kind and great towards the next person.
Clarky McKay
GM: Security and SafetyClose
Clarky McKay - GM: Security and Safety
Clarky joined Namib Desert Diamonds (Pty) Ltd as head of Security & Information Technology in 2016. Previously, he held the position of Commanding Officer of the Diamond & Gold Branch, currently known as the Protected Resources Unit (PRU). His vast and extensive career spans over 3 decades in the Policing (Specialized Units) and Mining & Diamond industries. He initiated the first draft on the Diamond Act and later became a Director on the Diamond Board of Namibia representing the Namibian Police. Clarky also represented Namibia on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as the Diamond Expert (Investigations into Blood Diamonds). He has completed various courses in Drug and Diamond related crimes in Egypt, Germany, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Besides his unwavering dedication to his job, his second passion is farming & agriculture which he spends most of his spare time on. Clarky is happy how his life turned out and his choices are the best reflection of his happiness. The quote by Nelson Mandela, “May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.” reinforces his outlook on life.