By Anna Shilongo
WINDHOEK
Women’s Action for Development (WAD) and the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) have entered into a partnership to train members of the force to improve their work-related skills as a pilot project.
For close to two months, members of the force from various bases were trained in various skills such as office administration, typing, computer literacy and bread and cake baking.
As a result, 72 certificates were on Monday awarded to 48 members of the force, after they successfully completed the course.
Officially handing over the certificate, the Defence Minister, Maj. Gen. (RTD) Charles Namoloh, urged the participants to put the skills and knowledge they have learned into practice.
“Some people may find it unusual that WAD, an institution that advocates to serve, support and encourage disadvantaged rural women in Namibia, embarked upon training members of the force. This might sound strange given the fact that soldiers are associated with weapons and war which bring death and destruction,” said the minister.
He however assured those that harbour these views that members of the force are also part of society, adding that they will return to society upon retirement to utilise those skills for their personal benefit like the rest of society.
Therefore, he said, the training has multiple benefits to members of the force as individuals and to the force as an institution.
“These skills do not only end with the force or individuals but will also be extended beyond our borders. The skills and knowledge gained will strengthen the capacity to ensure durable peace and security in the country,” he said.
The minister appealed to other sectors in the country to emulate these exemplary deeds by WAD in assisting members of the force to perform their duties better.
WAD Executive Director Veronica de Klerk said the human development aspect cannot be ignored even for members of the armed forces, adding that they should be well equipped with diverse knowledge and skills to interact with all at a level which will reflect positively on their employer.
“It was indeed something of an interesting awakening for my organisation to realise that members of the force can also utilise our services to enrich their personal lives, but most importantly, to be of greater benefit to their employer and the country in general,” said De Klerk.
She described the participants as highly disciplined, motivated, eager to learn, time-conscious and highly appreciative during the training sessions.
Motivated by the positive response, the WAD management has decided to take the training a step further during 2008 to conduct advanced computer training and advanced catering training to those members who received basic training in these courses this year.
“WAD is offering the training courses to members of the security forces free of charge, as a gesture of goodwill and because of the important role the armed forces have to fulfil to maintain peace and harmony in the country,” she said.
To fulfil the role of the force effectively, De Klerk believes they need to display a high degree of versatility.
She said challenges to the country that would require the involvement of the armed forces are always unexpected. Hence, the force should posses a high degree of preparedness to face such challenges.
“Training however also serves as a source of personal enrichment and the broadening of one’s own horizon, thus a profile of adequately skilled and informed soldiers will also contribute extensively to engender respect and admiration for our men and women in uniform, tasked with the defence of our country,” stressed De Klerk.
She added that it is superfluous to mention that the nation expects to be served by a highly motivated, competent and dedicated defence force, which can do the nation proud through distinguished service delivery.