TIRI MASAWI
Former Namibia Desert Diamonds (Namdia) Chief Executive Officer, Alisa Amupolo, who was fired in October for gross negligence and insubordination, has found a new path in business education and entrepreneurship.
Amupolo said she will also focus on governance through board influence, serving as an independent panellist on CEO and executive recruitments.
“I extend my gratitude to all those who have expressed support and understanding during this time. I remain committed to serving with integrity and to upholding the values that have defined my career,” she said on LinkedIn on Sunday.
Prior to being appointed as Namdia CEO, Amupolo served as PowerCom boss. She is a board member for both the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology, and Energy Utilities Assets (Pty). She also served as a board chairperson for both NamGem Diamond Manufacturing Company, and
Eumbo Property Investment.
“As an all-rounder who has served across a broad spectrum of industries, my focus now is on continuing to contribute meaningfully to the country and continent’s transformation agenda,” Amupolo said.
Amupolo said she will contribut from a perspective of business education, entrepreneurship, governance through board influence, serving as an independent panellist on CEO and executive recruitments.
“I will continue to impact the lives of others in meaningful ways, fundraising for underprivileged scholars who have dropped out of tertiary education,” she said.
Amupolo was fired as Namdia CEO with immediate effect on October 10.
The company said her sacking followed an independent disciplinary hearing concluded on 23 September 2025, which found her guilty of two charges of gross negligence and one charge of gross insubordination.
The hearing, which began in November 2024, examined operational decisions made by Amupolo that led to losses for the business during April to August 2023, May 2024, and July 2024.
Board Chairperson Justus Hausiku said the decision was not taken lightly.
“The Board would like to thank Amupolo for her service since 2022 and wish her well in her future endeavours,” he said.
He confirmed the termination was not related to the ongoing investigations into the diamond theft that occurred in January 2025 and her subsequent suspension in February 2025, but rather due to the pre-existing disciplinary hearing.
On 18 January 2025, Namdia lost diamonds worth about N$314.9 million, in what many believe is Namibia’s largest diamond heist since independence.
The heist resulted in two deaths: Francis Eiseb, Namdia’s chief security officer, allgeldy killed by the robbers, and Max Endjala, a suspect who reportedly died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound during the police response.
As of April 2025, diamonds worth about N$40.6 million have been recovered, leaving the majority unaccounted for.
Several suspects have been arrested in connection with the robbery, including current and former Namdia security personnel and their family members, pointing to a suspected “inside job.”
The investigation is ongoing, and some suspects have already appeared in court.
Despite the turbulent exit, Amupolo is now pivoting to a new chapter, aiming to use her experience to mentor, teach, and influence the next generation of business leaders and entrepreneurs in Namibia and beyond.
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