Select Page

Pick n Pay Namibia bids farewell to National Manager

Pick n Pay Namibia bids farewell to National Manager

Having served the Ohlthaver and List group for 21 years, as the National Manager for Pick n Pay Namibia, Roelf van Tonder called it a day and will embark on an early retirement as of 30 November.

“My journey dates back to 1996 when I was appointed as Store Manager at the then Model Woolworths in Tsumeb. In 2008 I was appointed as Regional Manager North and in 2015 as National Manager for PnP Namibia,” van Tonder said, reminiscing about his time in the retail industry.

Van Tonder added that his greatest appreciation for the Ohlthaver and List Group, is the culture that adds significant value to its people.

“People are most important for the O&L Group. I have always appreciated how so much time and resources are invested in the development of its people. And I take with me the O&L Values which has become such a big part of my life – not only in my profession, but also personally. The past two decades in the O&L Group, and PnP was a journey full of growth opportunities, not only for myself, but I was also very inspired to grow everyone around me,” he added.

PnP Namibia Managing Director, Norbert Wurm regards the departure of van Tonder as one of the saddest good byes since he took up the MD chair.

“With words it is difficult to describe someone like Roelf, who through his many long years of service has contributed so much to PnP, the O&L Group and its people. For many of us, and I include myself, he has been a father-figure and has enabled so many of our people to grow and to become successful leaders. If he was the father, we were the family. PnP was (and is) in his blood. He lived our purpose of ‘Creating a Future and Enhancing Life’ throughout, connecting to it fully on a personal level. His main goal was always to grow and develop ‘his’ people – by that he meant all of us. Even if frustrations sometimes resulted in his emotions getting the better of him, this was always driven by the love and passion he had (and has) for PnP and our people,” Wurm added.

According to his peers, van Tonder’s ability, to work with people and lead them to significant successes, makes him stand out among the rest.

“Roelf is synonymous with Pick n Pay, especially our northern regions, where his many long years of service has contributed greatly not only to PnP but certainly the entire O&L Group and its people. Roelf has passionately served the Group for 21 years and truly lived our purpose by developing and growing people to become successful leaders in their respective roles,” Ohlthaver and List Group Executive Chairman, Sven Thieme said.


 

 

About The Author

Donald Matthys

Donald Matthys has been part of the media fraternity since 2015. He has been working at the Namibia Economist for the past three years mainly covering business, tourism and agriculture. Donald occasionally refers to himself as a theatre maker and has staged two theatre plays so far. Follow him on twitter at @zuleitmatthys