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Thomas Shilongo - NHE Infrastructure Development Executive
Thomas Shilongo - NHE Infrastructure Development Executive

Leading with purpose

Determined to make a difference
Shilongo's extensive career spans industries like construction, finance, manufacturing, retail, SME, MSME, and the public sector.
Phillipus Josef
As a civil engineer with a master’s degree in industrial engineering and over 12 years of experience, Thomas Shilongo is a vibrant and energetic leader determined to make a difference in Namibia’s housing sector.

“My young age makes me very active, vibrant and physically fit, allowing me to work under pressure, which is crucial in the current demanding times of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR),” he explained.

His extensive career spans industries like construction, finance, manufacturing, retail, SME, MSME, and the public sector.

After completing his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the Polytechnic of Namibia - now the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) - in 2012, Shilongo launched his career in the construction and consulting engineering sector.

He later took on a managerial role in a manufacturing company before earning his master’s degree in industrial engineering from NUST.

On 1 August 2023, Shilongo was appointed as the executive for infrastructure development at the National Housing Enterprise (NHE), marking the start of his journey in the public sector.

“I am now a year into the role and enjoying the challenge ahead, which is to house the Namibian nation and eliminate the national housing backlog,” he noted.



Infrastructure development

One of the key highlights of his new role has been initiating the architectural students’ competition, which seeks to introduce modern and affordable housing designs that cater to the evolving needs of the Namibian market.

In his role at NHE, Shilongo oversees three divisions, namely: Projects, architectural services and property management.

He ensures that the department meets its objectives and deliverables within budget while providing strategic leadership and mentoring his team.

“My job is to ensure the department is resourced so that everyone can carry out their duties,” he emphasised. His hands-on approach also involves guiding the projects division in planning and contract administration, the architectural services division in housing design, and the property management division in maintaining and valuing properties.



Experience gained

Throughout his career, he has thrived in high-pressure environments. “I am always thrown in the deep end,” he mentioned.

“My transformative leadership style, innovation, and risk-taking have been key in overcoming challenges,” Shilongo added.

Among his notable achievements are receiving the Philanthropy Award – Great 50 Pledge in 2023 and his appointments to various leadership roles, including as the executive for infrastructure development at NHE, board of trustees member at Venture Capital Fund, and being a member of the steering committee for the National Housing Policy.



Inspirations and future aspirations

He draws inspiration from achievers, team successes and sports figures.

“I believe that the dedication of professional sportsmen can drive anyone to achieve beyond imagination,” he explained.

Looking ahead, he plans to obtain a doctor of business administration qualification and eventually take on a CEO role in either the public or private sector.

For young people, he encouraged patience, clear goal-setting and celebrating others’ successes. “You attract what you celebrate,” he noted.

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Allgemeine Zeitung 2024-10-13

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Katima Mulilo: 17° | 36° Rundu: 17° | 35° Eenhana: 19° | 37° Oshakati: 20° | 37° Ruacana: 20° | 37° Tsumeb: 23° | 34° Otjiwarongo: 19° | 33° Omaruru: 23° | 37° Windhoek: 20° | 33° Gobabis: 21° | 33° Henties Bay: 13° | 19° Wind speed: 21km/h, Wind direction: SW, Low tide: 06:00, High tide: 12:29, Low Tide: 18:40, High tide: 00:59 Swakopmund: 14° | 16° Wind speed: 30km/h, Wind direction: SW, Low tide: 05:58, High tide: 12:27, Low Tide: 18:38, High tide: 00:57 Walvis Bay: 14° | 23° Wind speed: 38km/h, Wind direction: SW, Low tide: 05:58, High tide: 12:26, Low Tide: 18:38, High tide: 00:56 Rehoboth: 20° | 34° Mariental: 23° | 38° Keetmanshoop: 22° | 38° Aranos: 21° | 37° Lüderitz: 15° | 30° Ariamsvlei: 23° | 39° Oranjemund: 13° | 20° Luanda: 24° | 25° Gaborone: 21° | 35° Lubumbashi: 18° | 33° Mbabane: 16° | 32° Maseru: 17° | 32° Antananarivo: 10° | 27° Lilongwe: 22° | 32° Maputo: 20° | 33° Windhoek: 20° | 33° Cape Town: 14° | 21° Durban: 18° | 25° Johannesburg: 20° | 31° Dar es Salaam: 24° | 30° Lusaka: 20° | 32° Harare: 18° | 31° Currency: GBP to NAD 22.69 | EUR to NAD 19.02 | CNY to NAD 2.46 | USD to NAD 17.4 | DZD to NAD 0.13 | AOA to NAD 0.02 | BWP to NAD 1.27 | EGP to NAD 0.35 | KES to NAD 0.13 | NGN to NAD 0.01 | ZMW to NAD 0.65 | ZWL to NAD 0.04 | BRL to NAD 3.08 | RUB to NAD 0.18 | INR to NAD 0.21 | USD to DZD 132.83 | USD to AOA 909.1 | USD to BWP 13.28 | USD to EGP 48.53 | USD to KES 128.5 | USD to NGN 1625.33 | USD to ZAR 17.39 | USD to ZMW 26.4 | USD to ZWL 321 | Stock Exchange: JSE All Share Index Same 0 | Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX) Overall Index 1854.97 Up +1.41% | Casablanca Stock Exchange (CSE) MASI 14101.61 Down -0.01% | Egyptian Exchange (EGX) 30 Index 30762.32 Down -1.33% | Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) DCI Same 0 | NSX: MTC 7.75 SAME | Anirep 8.99 SAME | Capricorn Investment group 17.34 SAME | FirstRand Namibia Ltd 49 DOWN 0.50% | Letshego Holdings (Namibia) Ltd 4.1 UP 2.50% | Namibia Asset Management Ltd 0.7 SAME | Namibia Breweries Ltd 31.49 UP 0.03% | Nictus Holdings - Nam 2.22 SAME | Oryx Properties Ltd 12.1 UP 1.70% | Paratus Namibia Holdings 11.99 SAME | SBN Holdings 8.45 SAME | Trustco Group Holdings Ltd 0.48 SAME | B2Gold Corporation 47.34 DOWN 1.50% | Local Index closed 677.62 UP 0.12% | Overall Index closed 1534.6 DOWN 0.05% | Osino Resources Corp 19.47 DOWN 2.41% | Commodities: Gold US$ 2 657.18/OZ UP +0.91% | Copper US$ 4.47/lb UP +1.10% | Zinc US$ 3 171.30/T DOWN -0.03% | Brent Crude Oil US$ 79.33/BBP DOWN -0.0052 | Platinum US$ 984.46/OZ UP +1.35% Sport results: Weather: Katima Mulilo: 17° | 36° Rundu: 17° | 35° Eenhana: 19° | 37° Oshakati: 20° | 37° Ruacana: 20° | 37° Tsumeb: 23° | 34° Otjiwarongo: 19° | 33° Omaruru: 23° | 37° Windhoek: 20° | 33° Gobabis: 21° | 33° Henties Bay: 13° | 19° Wind speed: 21km/h, Wind direction: SW, Low tide: 06:00, High tide: 12:29, Low Tide: 18:40, High tide: 00:59 Swakopmund: 14° | 16° Wind speed: 30km/h, Wind direction: SW, Low tide: 05:58, High tide: 12:27, Low Tide: 18:38, High tide: 00:57 Walvis Bay: 14° | 23° Wind speed: 38km/h, Wind direction: SW, Low tide: 05:58, High tide: 12:26, Low Tide: 18:38, High tide: 00:56 Rehoboth: 20° | 34° Mariental: 23° | 38° Keetmanshoop: 22° | 38° Aranos: 21° | 37° Lüderitz: 15° | 30° Ariamsvlei: 23° | 39° Oranjemund: 13° | 20° Luanda: 24° | 25° Gaborone: 21° | 35° Lubumbashi: 18° | 33° Mbabane: 16° | 32° Maseru: 17° | 32° Antananarivo: 10° | 27° Lilongwe: 22° | 32° Maputo: 20° | 33° Windhoek: 20° | 33° Cape Town: 14° | 21° Durban: 18° | 25° Johannesburg: 20° | 31° Dar es Salaam: 24° | 30° Lusaka: 20° | 32° Harare: 18° | 31° Economic Indicators: Currency: GBP to NAD 22.69 | EUR to NAD 19.02 | CNY to NAD 2.46 | USD to NAD 17.4 | DZD to NAD 0.13 | AOA to NAD 0.02 | BWP to NAD 1.27 | EGP to NAD 0.35 | KES to NAD 0.13 | NGN to NAD 0.01 | ZMW to NAD 0.65 | ZWL to NAD 0.04 | BRL to NAD 3.08 | RUB to NAD 0.18 | INR to NAD 0.21 | USD to DZD 132.83 | USD to AOA 909.1 | USD to BWP 13.28 | USD to EGP 48.53 | USD to KES 128.5 | USD to NGN 1625.33 | USD to ZAR 17.39 | USD to ZMW 26.4 | USD to ZWL 321 | Stock Exchange: JSE All Share Index Same 0 | Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX) Overall Index 1854.97 Up +1.41% | Casablanca Stock Exchange (CSE) MASI 14101.61 Down -0.01% | Egyptian Exchange (EGX) 30 Index 30762.32 Down -1.33% | Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) DCI Same 0 | NSX: MTC 7.75 SAME | Anirep 8.99 SAME | Capricorn Investment group 17.34 SAME | FirstRand Namibia Ltd 49 DOWN 0.50% | Letshego Holdings (Namibia) Ltd 4.1 UP 2.50% | Namibia Asset Management Ltd 0.7 SAME | Namibia Breweries Ltd 31.49 UP 0.03% | Nictus Holdings - Nam 2.22 SAME | Oryx Properties Ltd 12.1 UP 1.70% | Paratus Namibia Holdings 11.99 SAME | SBN Holdings 8.45 SAME | Trustco Group Holdings Ltd 0.48 SAME | B2Gold Corporation 47.34 DOWN 1.50% | Local Index closed 677.62 UP 0.12% | Overall Index closed 1534.6 DOWN 0.05% | Osino Resources Corp 19.47 DOWN 2.41% | Commodities: Gold US$ 2 657.18/OZ UP +0.91% | Copper US$ 4.47/lb UP +1.10% | Zinc US$ 3 171.30/T DOWN -0.03% | Brent Crude Oil US$ 79.33/BBP DOWN -0.0052 | Platinum US$ 984.46/OZ UP +1.35%