Pick n Pay Namibia marketing manager retires
Former Pick n Pay Namibia’s Marketing Manager, Gilbert Botha, handed over his 7 year long position to the young and vibrant Victoria Moller.
Botha started his journey at the Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group on 16 July 1996 at Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL) as Divisional Manager for the North of the country, and in August 1998 moved to Namibia Dairies (ND) to occupy the position of National Sales Manager.
Two years later in July, he returned to NBL as Trade Marketing Manager – a position he held for eight years until Namibia Dairies appointed him again – this time as Field Sales Manager/Trade Marketing Manager.
In April 2008 Botha was appointed by Pick n Pay Namibia as its Marketing Manager until earlier this year, in January when he reached retirement.
“When I look back, I realize that it is the environment this organization creates for its people that kept me in the O&L Group. The group’s values, and its purpose ‘Creating a future, enhancing life’ for all Namibians have become such a vital part of my life. It has been a fantastic journey in this body that beholds so much opportunity for growth, and simply maintains an environment of freedom that allows you to explore all your skills and talents,” Botha said.
“I have always had a passion for retail – a career I have embarked on since 1972, and I cherish the exposure to sales and trade marketing in the O&L Group over the years, and of course the tremendous amount of experience I have been fortunate enough to receive. It hasn’t always been easy – there were some tough times on this journey, but through it all, and as crowned countless times by the Deloitte SADC Survey, I can personally attest to it that the O&L Group is most certainly the ‘Best Company To Work For’ in Namibia, and the entire SADC Region,” he added.
Moller, who was the former Brand Manager for Pick n Pay Namibia, on her part said she takes with her a wealth of invaluable knowledge and wisdom, on this journey, gained from Botha.
“I cannot put a price tag to the immeasurable tools and teachings I have learned from a man that has paved the way for me. Somewhere Gilbert saw something in me that I didn’t even see myself and identified me as his successor hence I was put on a growth plan that helped me fill the gaps and become a worthy successor. I am eternally grateful for what he has done as a coach and mentor and am where I am today because he believed in me. Gilbert has been a mentor, a friend and a fantastic teacher, and passer-on of knowledge in the time that I have known him. I am excited to take on this journey, and wish him everything of the best,” she said.
Pick n Pay Managing Director, Norbert Wurm noted it is both Botha’s passionate contributions professionally, as well as his outstanding personality that makes him one to never forget.
“Gilbert has delivered an enormous contribution to the business and our people. He always has a joke on his lips, a smile on his face and continuously explores ways of helping, coaching and mentoring others, while always retaining a passion for high standards on execution. I would like to thank Gilbert for his contribution to PnP over the past 7 years, and to the entire O&L Group over the past 21 years. His experience, commitment and loyalty have undoubtedly been of great value to all of us,” Wurm said.
