In our story headlined ‘Zambezi Education Foundation raises over N$1 million’, in the Monday August 8, 2016 edition of New Era, we inadvertently misrepresented the facts regarding the amount pledged by George Simataa (picture), the secretary to Cabinet, who is also the patron of the newly unveiled Foundation. We wrongly reported that Simataa and Chuma Mayumbelo pledged over N$300 000 in cash and in kind. The fact of the matter is Simataa donated a cash amount of N$2 000 at the launch of the Zambezi Education Foundation and also made a pledge of N$500 per month for as long as he remains in salaried employment. Simataa had also stated that he was honoured to be a patron of the new Foundation. More importantly, he said some years ago he had volunteered to do fundraising for the Katima Mulilo-based Cheshire Home for persons with special needs. “Together with my able-bodied sister, Chuma Mayumbelo, we were able to raise over N$300 000 both in cash and in kind in one night.” This amount was donated to Cheshire Home by corporates, government and individuals.
New Era sincerely and unreservedly apologises for the inconvenience our misrepresentation of these facts may have caused to both the secretary to Cabinet and to Chuma Mayumbelo. – Editor