Ally Angula

Ally Angula
Portrait photo of Ally Angula, taken in 2015
Ally Angula (2015)
Born
Ally Shaningwa Inedhimbwa Angula

1979 (age 44–45)
NationalityNamibian
Alma materUniversity of Namibia
Occupation(s)Accountant and Business executive
Years active2006- present
TitleCo-founder at Leap Holdings
MovementA Better Life Movement
WebsiteAlly Angula

Ally Shaningwa Inedhimbwa Angula, simply referred to as Ally Angula (born 1979), is a Namibian accountant, business executive, and politician. Angula is an independent presidential candidate in the 2024 Namibian general election, which takes place in November 2024.[1]

Angula is a Chartered Accountant with extensive background in accounting and business management in Namibia.[2] She is the co-founder and managing director of Leap Holdings, a Namibian holding company with subsidiaries in commercial farming, garment manufacturing, and retail.[3] She is also the principal founder of The CFO Namibia, a Chartered Accountancy and Financial Advisory firm she founded in 2019.[4] Prior to this, between 2006 and 2013, Angula was a partner at KPMG Namibia.[5] Angula also served as Deputy Executive Director of the Ministry of Finance between December 2018 and August 2019.[6]

Education

Angula pursued her higher education at the University of Namibia, earning a bachelor's degree in accounting in 2001. She also has a bachelor's degree in commerce from University of Natal.[7]

Career

Angula has had a rich career in accounting and finance. In 2005, Angula joined KPMG Namibia, she started serving as an audit manager and was raised to KPMG Partner, where she was heading Financial Services and Energy and Natural Resources in Namibia from 2007 to 2013. Between 2006 and 2007, Angula was also among the senior partners of Swart Grant Angula, a Namibian accounting firm.[8]

In May 2017, Angula was appointed by the Minister of Mines and Energy to advise the boards of the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor).[9] In the end of 2018, Angula was appointed as the Deputy Executive Director at the Ministry of Finance, where she played a significant role in reforming financial reporting.[10] She resigned in August 2019, reportedly due to clashes with older officials who opposed her reforms.[6] In 2018, Angula was also appointed as a Committee Chairperson of the Namibia Public Private Partnership Committee at the Ministry of Finance.[11]

Business career

Leap Holdings

Angula is the CEO of Leap Holdings, a Namibian integrated group of companies, she co-founded with her husband in 2013. The group is involved in commercial farming, garment manufacturing, and retail, with operating subsidiary companies including Leap Agribusiness Ltd., Leap Manufacturing Namibia Ltd., and Leap Retail Ltd.[12] Under her leadership, Leap Holdings operates My Republik, Namibia's commercial clothing brand, which earned Angula the 'Best Woman-Owned Business' award at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) in 2015.[13] Leap Holdings has expanded its agricultural operations, installed advanced irrigation systems, and explored new ventures such as growing bamboo in Namibia.[3] My Republik's collaboration with the makers of the film "Katutura" showcased a unique synergy between fashion and film, highlighting Angula's commitment to promoting Namibian creativity and industry.[14] Through her leadership, Angula has cemented her position as a key figure in Namibia's entrepreneurial landscape, continuously advocating for local innovation and industry growth.[15][2]

Additional career

Angula has served on various boards, including Oryx Properties Limited (Vice Chairperson), Pupkewitz Holdings, and Nabo Holdings. She has chaired the Audit and Risk Committees of the Bank of Namibia, Rössing Uranium Limited, and Oryx Properties.[16]

Presidential candidacy

Angula launched her manifesto as an independent presidential candidate on May 1, 2024.[17] As the founder of the “A Better Life” movement, Angula champions the dignity of Namibians, aiming to address societal challenges from a political platform.[18] Her manifesto focuses on economic transformation, job creation, youth empowerment, and improving healthcare and education in Namibia.[19] Her candidacy is supported by the United People's Movement (UPM) and the National Empowerment Fighting Corruption (NEFC) party. The alliance was formally signed by UPM president Jan van Wyk and NEFC president Kenneth Lilonga.[20]

Recognitions

Social impact

Angula is an activist.[25] In 2024, she participated in protests with people of Katutura to highlight socio-economic issues and demonstrate her commitment to addressing the concerns of ordinary Namibians.[26] In addition to the protests in Katutura, Angula has participated in demonstrations in other areas of Windhoek, including the central business district and the vicinity of government offices. These locations were chosen to maximize visibility and impact on key decision-makers.[27]

Personal life

Angula has two children,[2] and she is a niece to former prime minister Nahas Angula.[28]

References

  1. ^ "Alliance formed to support Ally Angula for 2024 elections | nbc". nbcnews.na. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
  2. ^ a b c Namibian, The (2014-04-25). "The Power of the Dream- Ally Angula". The Namibian. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  3. ^ a b Namibian, The (2014-05-23). "'We need to stop the copycat mentality'". The Namibian. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  4. ^ "Deep-South appoints Ally Angula as director | Namibia Economist". Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  5. ^ KATSWARA, TONDERAI (2006-07-28). "KPMG Namibia transforms into a local firm". The Namibian. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  6. ^ a b Namibian, The (2019-08-23). "Angula resigns from finance ministry". The Namibian. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  7. ^ Sun, Namibian (2015-07-13). "Family support plays a big role in success - Ally Angula". Namibian Sun. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  8. ^ Reporter, Staff (2006-07-28). "KPMG Namibia Changes Name - New Era". Retrieved 2024-09-05.
  9. ^ Namibian, The (2018-04-25). "Namcor pays for costly accounting 'advice'". The Namibian. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
  10. ^ Ndebele, Lenin. "Namibia starts three months of voter registration ahead of elections". News24. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  11. ^ Reporter, Staff (2018-12-04). "Schlettwein announces PPP committee members - New Era". Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  12. ^ "Young Namibian woman entrepreneur selected as a Young Global Leader for Sub Saharan Africa by the World Economic Forum". Lionesses of Africa. 2015-03-22. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
  13. ^ "Meet Ally Angula, the serial entrepreneur who is making Africa proud – Leading Ladies Africa". Retrieved 2024-09-06.
  14. ^ "Fashion and Film decide to bond | Namibia Economist". economist.com.na. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
  15. ^ Namibian, The (2015-03-20). "World Economic Forum chooses Ally Angula as promising leader". The Namibian. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  16. ^ "Deep-South Appoints Ally Angula as Director". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
  17. ^ Namibian, Donald Matthys, The (2024-05-02). "Angula says 500 000 new jobs in three years is possible". The Namibian. Retrieved 2024-09-06.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  18. ^ "From businesswoman to presidential candidate: Ally Angula's journey | Namibia Economist". Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  19. ^ Reporter, Staff (2024-05-02). "Angula launches manifesto, dreams BIG - New Era". Retrieved 2024-09-05.
  20. ^ "UPM, NEFC rally behind Angula in presidential race - New Era". 2024-02-28. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
  21. ^ "Quote of the Day by Ally Angula". Lionesses of Africa. 2018-03-15. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
  22. ^ Namibian, The (2015-06-25). "Two Nam women off to global summit". The Namibian. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  23. ^ Namibian, The (2015-12-18). "Best and Worst 2015 … Ally Angula". The Namibian. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  24. ^ "Namibian Female entrepreneur, Ally Angula, Represents Namibia Globally. | Duchess International Magazine". 2016-04-08. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  25. ^ "Time for Moses generation has expired – Ally Angula – Windhoek Observer". 2024-02-28. Retrieved 2024-09-24.
  26. ^ "Ally Angula to join Katutura residents in their quest for debt write-off – Windhoek Observer". 2024-04-11. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
  27. ^ Matthys, Donald (2024-04-16). "Angula threatens city with sit-in demo over residents' debt". The Namibian. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
  28. ^ "Angula says vote depends on stance on critical issues". The Namibian. 2024-04-17. Retrieved 2024-08-27.