New harbour master at Walvis

The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) has appointed Captain Lukas Vipanda Kufuna (38) as Port Captain at the Port of Walvis Bay from the beginning of this year. Captain Kufuna takes over this role from Captain Mussa Mandia, who served Namport from 2007 to 2012.
Captain Kufuna was born and raised in the Okavango Region. From his modest childhood, his career has taken him on a long journey of training and gaining experience. Today he is a fully qualified, experienced and formidable mariner. Captain Kufuna reports to the office of the GM: Operations, Mr Lumumba Kathindi.
Undertaking the statutory role of exercising all required jurisdiction over the water area of the Port, Captain Kufuna’s role among others, is to provide safe and efficient access to the Port for Namibia’s trading and fishing partners; and to ensure compliance to the Act of establishment of the Port Authority.
The appointment of Captain Kufuna follows his successful completion of the Namport Cadet Bursary Scheme from 1999 – 2010. Today, a qualified Master Mariner Class 1, he worked his way up through the ranks to become the first black Namibian citizen, to be appointed captain of the Walvis Bay port.
After completing matric in 1993 at the Oshikoto Secondary School, he obtained the following qualifications: National Diploma in Maritime Studies (CPUT, RSA) 2004; Class 3 & 2 Certificates of Competency (CPUT, RSA) 2005-6; Master Marine Class 1 (Unlimited) CPUT, RSA 2010 and an International Diploma for Harbour Masters (IBC Academy, UK) 2012.
He is married to Mrs Zuleiga Kufuna, a father of 5 children and his interests include among others sailing, reading and sports.
The Executive: Human Resources at the Namibian Ports Authority, Ms Heritha Muyoba could not hide her excitement and stressed that the appointment of Captain Kufuna, will go a long way in providing the needed maritime leadership and further development of maritime skills amongst Namibians, to maintain the growth of the Port of Walvis Bay as Namibia’s premier trading gateway.
Welcoming Captain Lukas Kufuna, Namport CEO, Bisey Uirab, said: “We are delighted to have Captain Kufuna joining the port in the important role of Port Captain. Drawing on his extensive experience we are sure he will further enhance the expertise of our marine operations to ensure the safe movement of marine traffic and lead the marine and navigational services teams”