Shoulder to shoulder against poverty: Otavi construction commences

Representatives of Ohorongo Cement, FNB Foundation and Pupkewitz Foundation worked side by side with the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia and community members, when the construction of houses for low income families commenced in Otavi today.

Since the launch of this Public Private Partnership initiative earlier this year, progress at the Otavi site was prevalent as foundations were dug, bricks were being made and foundations poured. The first foundations were poured on Saturday, 16 July.

The three private companies joined hands to support the provision of community driven houses for low income families, by pledging N$ 3 million to SDFN/NHAG on 4 March this year.

In the quest to build 91 houses for 2016, the identified projects are making the following progress:

• Omaruru in Erongo: Currently manufacturing bricks and building to commence in August
  
• Tsumeb in Oshikoto: Land clearing and planning of houses in progress
  
• Tsandi in Omusati: Building materials have been purchased and construction should be completed by September
  
• Otavi in Otjozondjupa: Plans approved, first foundations laid and brickmaking in full swing and first walls are rising
  

“The escalating demand for low cost housing in Namibia has reached a crisis point and requires urgent assistance, not only from Government, but also from the Private Sector and assistance from every Namibian citizen,” said Hans-Wilhelm Schütte, M.D. of Ohorongo Cement.

“Empathy for fellow Namibians and supporting Government initiatives are the driving factors that motivated the companies to join hands in the fight against poverty eradication, by supporting the SDFN/NHAG,” said Schütte.

“FNB deeply cares about the Namibian people, but is also places special focus on taking care of our planet,” said Angelique Peake representing FNB Foundation. “Forming partnerships that can help us achieve our goal of creating a better world, by using profit as an enabler to assist our communities, directly speaks to our strategy,” she said.

The core competencies of the three private partners are not purely Corporate Social Investment (CSI) driven, as it forms merely a smaller part of its investment and business existence.

“Instead of trying to run independent in-house initiatives, the three partners decided to work hand in hand with reputable organizations like NSDFN/NHAG, who clearly have a winning recipe when looking at their results & outcomes to date,” said Angelo Helmuth General Manager: Business Development Pupkewitz Foundation. “Staff present here today, indicated that they would bring more staff members from the branches to witness the progress and participate in supporting the local community with the building activities,” he said.

The Mayor of Otavi, Her Worship, Martha Shipanga encouraged the community to call on their children to stick out their hands and assist them with the construction of the houses. “Even if they do not have money, they can use their hands and help,” she said.

“A vital part of the success is to learn from one another by transferring skills & knowledge,” said Heinrich Amushila from SDFN. “This is one of the very powerful tools for capacity building, which is one of the core elements which makes our organization so successful and forms part of every project – the fact that the communities can learn from one another,” he said.

He mentioned that since the launch of the initiative earlier this year, the Fund has grown from strength to strength and many others are enquiring on how to support and join the fight against poverty eradication and the huge need for housing.

Supporting this project has a number of benefits which are important to all three partners:

• Employment creation for Namibian people
• Long-term and sustainable initiative, taking the planet into consideration
• Providing much needed Housing to lower income families
• Providing Training & Transfer of Skills Knowledge through capacity building
• Strengthens Namibian Economy via “Buy Namibian”