Zebaldt Ngaruka
Namibia’s premier motor dealer, Auas Motors, donated N$148000 worth of goods and items to Windhoek High School (WHS) in the capital recently.
An amount of N$48 000 was given to WHS’s first netball team to purchase netball gear, whereas a Suzuki S-Presso worth N$186000 was given to the school to auction for N$100 000, exclusively for repairing the netball field.
The Suzuki S-Presso will be auctioned to the community by the school this month. Gerhard Vermeulen, the managing director of Auas Motors Group, said the company did well financially during the Covid-19 period, and that they needed to share with the community.
“As part of our social responsibilities, we prioritise schools, which are vital institutions for the future of the Namibian child. We care about sports and the development of facilities where children can showcase their talents,” he said.Vermeulen added that through sports, learners interact with one another, and learn to function as a team.
“There is nowhere one can finish school, and work in isolation. You will have colleagues at work, and teamwork is key to the success of any organisation or business,” explained the managing director.
Auas Motors donated beds and mattresses worth N$425 000 to rural schools in Sesfontein in the Kunene region.
“We have also assisted Moria school in Outjo, and coastal schools with infrastructure development. This is all for the benefit of our Namibian child,” Vermeulen added.
WHS public relations and project manager Juanita Birch said the sponsorship is significant for the school’s first netball team.
It provides much-needed financial support that enables the team to participate in competitions, and purchase battle gear and accessories.
“It will also foster a sense of pride and unity within the school community, knowing that successful local businesses are supporting our school and sport, and making a significant difference in the lives of these learners,” Birch added.
She emphasised that the main goal of WHS is to cultivate learners to reach their potential at every opportunity, but the school cannot make this a reality without sponsors like Auas Motors.
According to Birch, the netball team faced challenges in acquiring presentable attire for matches before securing this sponsorship.
“This lack of presentable uniforms not only affected our performance, but also our team morale. However, through determination, the team improvised by using older gear that was no longer in good condition,” she said.
Despite these obstacles, their dedication to the sport remained unwavering, and the sponsorship has now alleviated these concerns, allowing them to focus entirely on their games amid the well-being of their learners on and off the field.
– zngaruka@yahoo.com