Ongwediva
All Namibians have a role to play in ensuring that the Harambee Prosperity Plan is a success, Vice-President Nickey Iyambo said when he spoke as the guest of honour at the fundraising dinner for the sixth Ondangwa Trade and Industrial Exhibition.
Iyambo also urged that Namibians get rid of their traditional way of thinking, which includes skepticism and individualism, to free their minds for the plan.
“Skepticism and old thinking such as ‘I and my family only’ or ‘they versus us’, ‘our region only’, ‘my village only’, should quickly make way for the harambee spirit such as ‘we are Namibian citizens’, ‘our country’ and eventually ‘one Namibia, one Nation’ as we collectively harambee towards prosperity,” said Iyambo.
According to Iyambo, the plan is based on five pillars: effective governance and service delivery, economic advancement, social progression, infrastructural development, and international relations and cooperation.
Thus, the plan, should not be considered as President Hage Geingob’s plan or the Swapo government’s plan but as a Namibian plan – and it should be viewed and treated as such by all Namibians, irrespective of their economic, educational, racial, or religious background, he indicated.
He applauded Ondangwa for being among the fastest growing towns in the country. He noted that the town is gradually becoming one of Namibia’s prime business hubs and will soon overtake some of the economic giants such as Swakopmumd.
“This town never ceases to amaze me with its success in attracting investors – local and international. They have created a conducive business and residential environment, where Namibian and foreign investors feel at home.”
Iyambo himself pledged N$5 000 during the fundraising dinner towards organizing the exhibition.
The mayor of Ondangwa, Paavo Amwele, said the Ondangwa Trade and Industrial Exhibition is one of the important events in the calendar of Ondagwa Town Council and it is growing every year.
According to Amwele, the trade fair provides a platform for business people to network and create meaningful relationships with other business personalities.
“This event is also a good platform for government ministries and parastatals to interact with the people,” said Amwele.
Because of the significant role played by the trade fair, Amwele said, the town council has taken the decision to invest in the Ondangwa trade centre. The council has so far spent N$14 million towards the completion of the first phase of the centre.
A local businessman John Endjala is the patron of the Ondangwa Trade and Industrial Exhibition. The dinner raised over N$400 000.