• Other

Humble beginnings leads to top position in company

Octavia Tsibes



Cornelius Haragaeb started out as a contract security officer at Shell in 2004.

“This was my first exposure to the petroleum industry and at that point I knew this was definitely what I wanted to do,” he said.

“I went on to request permission from the then depot manager to allow me to learn more about the operations, which he did. I would come in during my free time, when I was not working, to support with the operations.”

His dedication finally paid off in 2008, when a position for an operator become vacant.

“I applied, went through the normal interview and selection process, and was awarded the job.”

After Haragaeb completed his grade 12 in 1995 at Cosmos High School in Windhoek, he went into the security industry.

“In 2008, I was fortunate enough to secure employment as an operator at Vivo Energy and around the same time I enrolled for a business administration course at the then Polytechnic of Namibia, which recently became the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST).

“I completed my national diploma in business administration in 2011 and I am currently studying towards a degree in logistics and transport management at the same institution,” he says.

As the transport and logistics manager at Vivo Energy Namibia, Haragaeb is responsible for coordinating, influencing and monitoring road and rail transport operations, to ensure that deliveries are on time.

He says all his work has to comply with health, safety, security and environmental (HSSE) standards and requirements, while maintaining high levels of efficiency in a cost effective manner.

He also manages their audit programme and works to achieve continuous improvement, in terms of customer service targets and HSSE requirements.

He was previously employed as a general operator, which meant he could basically do everything, from rail tanker decanting, truck filling to operating the lubricants warehouse. Whenever he had spare time during the day, he would go to the office and support the administrative functions of the company, which led him spending more time in an office environment.

“I had several roles within the company, and they all come from due diligence to grow in my career and as an individual, and from my willingness and ability to learn new skills ,” he adds.

One of his greatest highlights was when he was named employee of the year on three different occasions - in 2010, 2012 and 2016.

He is part of the team who helped Vivo Energy Namibia grow into the leading oil marketing company in Namibia.

“I love to work with people. I have reported to a number of line managers throughout my career, and the wealth of knowledge they were able to transfer is unimaginable.”

His role is a challenging one, as road transport is viewed as a highly critical HSSE , as well as a major cost area by the group.

“My role is stimulating, as I get to learn something new every day and of course it pays my rent!” Haragaeb added.