One diamond can make or break the company - McKay

Clarky McKay is the first general manager of security and safety at Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia).
Mariselle Stofberg
Wetumwene Shikage



Clarky McKay is responsible for security and IT at Namdia.

Many people think that diamonds are the company’s biggest asset, but McKay says people are its most valuable resource. His job is to make sure that the employees are safe not only on duty, but off duty too.

“This is to ensure that the assumptions people have of Namdia’s employees having access to the diamonds is not followed through,” he said.

Not only is he responsible for ensuring that the security equipment is working, but he also ensures that the diamonds on the premises are kept in absolute safety as they are the main product that brings in the money for the company.

About McKay

McKay hails from southern Namibia. “When we sing the national anthem, we sing of the contrasting beauty which is the perfect description of the //Karas Region,” he says. He completed his school education in the same region. “We were the first matriculants of JA Nel Secondary School,” he proudly says.

His career started in the police. “I was the head of the diamond police for many years, as well as the head of the drug squad. I acquired a lot of training in Europe, America, and Egypt and other places in Africa. I have been involved in diamond dealings on different levels,” he says.

Achievements

He says it is vitally important to employ people who are honest and trustworthy, especially in the diamond industry. He believes these qualities cannot be measured until you work with these individuals. “These characteristics are what make it possible to have no loss of diamonds and no loss of people’s lives.”

McKay explains that there is a system in place to handle the flow of diamonds through the different stages, starting with bringing them in and when making preparations based on clients’ requests. He is proud of the fact that no diamonds have gone missing since the company’s inception.

He advises that everyone who has a career aspiration should be able to own it and work towards making it even better. “Think of it as being a shareholder of the company you work for. As soon as you think you are an owner, you will make a success of it. Namdia is a success story and I am glad that I was part of it,” he said.

McKay hopes to see Namdia get access to more diamonds to build on the success they have achieved, and for Namdia to become the hub of all Namibian diamonds.