Owen Sikanda: 15 years of service rooted in excellence
For the past 15 years, Owen Sikanda, Head of Benefits Administration in the Operations Department at the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF), has been a steady force of dedication, growth and service excellence.
Born in Kwalala Village in the Zambezi Region, Sikanda’s journey is marked by continuous self-improvement and professional discipline. He holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Management, a Degree and Diploma in Business Administration, a Diploma in Retirement Fund Management, and a Global Leadership Programme Certificate - qualifications that reflect his strong commitment to lifelong learning.
Sikanda joined GIPF in August 2010 as a Client Service Consultant, serving active members, pensioners and beneficiaries. In June 2013, he was promoted to Administrator: Data Management, where he played a key role in strengthening the Fund’s data integrity. His dedication led to another promotion in September 2015 to Senior Administrator: Data Management, a position he held for five years. In November 2020, he reached a major milestone when he was appointed Head of Benefits Administration.
In his current role, Sikanda focuses on coaching, motivating and guiding his team to ensure members receive accurate, efficient and compassionate service. He believes in working smarter by prioritising urgent and important tasks and planning each day carefully - a disciplined approach that has earned him several individual awards for performance, innovation and teamwork.
He places strong emphasis on physical fitness, regularly working out and participating in sports to stay energetic, confident and mentally sharp. He believes his experience and knowledge are his greatest assets in navigating daily challenges.
While Sikanda counts his promotions and recognition awards among his key achievements, he firmly believes that success at GIPF is driven by teamwork. His strengths include a positive attitude, leadership skills and a problem-solving mindset, along with a natural passion for motivating others. He admits that his drive for perfection can sometimes be challenging in a fast-paced environment, and he continues to grow by listening more and creating space for learning.
His advice to young professionals is simple but powerful: set clear goals, protect your personal brand, invest in education, and surround yourself with positive, like-minded people.
As he celebrates 15 years at GIPF, Sikanda remains committed to improving service delivery and contributing meaningfully to the Fund’s mission and vision.
Born in Kwalala Village in the Zambezi Region, Sikanda’s journey is marked by continuous self-improvement and professional discipline. He holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Management, a Degree and Diploma in Business Administration, a Diploma in Retirement Fund Management, and a Global Leadership Programme Certificate - qualifications that reflect his strong commitment to lifelong learning.
Sikanda joined GIPF in August 2010 as a Client Service Consultant, serving active members, pensioners and beneficiaries. In June 2013, he was promoted to Administrator: Data Management, where he played a key role in strengthening the Fund’s data integrity. His dedication led to another promotion in September 2015 to Senior Administrator: Data Management, a position he held for five years. In November 2020, he reached a major milestone when he was appointed Head of Benefits Administration.
In his current role, Sikanda focuses on coaching, motivating and guiding his team to ensure members receive accurate, efficient and compassionate service. He believes in working smarter by prioritising urgent and important tasks and planning each day carefully - a disciplined approach that has earned him several individual awards for performance, innovation and teamwork.
He places strong emphasis on physical fitness, regularly working out and participating in sports to stay energetic, confident and mentally sharp. He believes his experience and knowledge are his greatest assets in navigating daily challenges.
While Sikanda counts his promotions and recognition awards among his key achievements, he firmly believes that success at GIPF is driven by teamwork. His strengths include a positive attitude, leadership skills and a problem-solving mindset, along with a natural passion for motivating others. He admits that his drive for perfection can sometimes be challenging in a fast-paced environment, and he continues to grow by listening more and creating space for learning.
His advice to young professionals is simple but powerful: set clear goals, protect your personal brand, invest in education, and surround yourself with positive, like-minded people.
As he celebrates 15 years at GIPF, Sikanda remains committed to improving service delivery and contributing meaningfully to the Fund’s mission and vision.
