Windhoek
The People’s Republic of China that enjoys excellent, all weather diplomatic relations with Namibia is currently constructing another school for less privileged children in Tallismanus in Omaheke Region.
The school will benefit the San, among other less privileged children.
Bruce Ku the deputy general manager of SOGECOA Investments Namibia (Pty) Ltd, which is involved in the construction of the N$12 million school, says construction started last October and that the school will be handed over at a ceremony expected to be attended by Chinese Ambassador to Namibia, Xin Shunkang.
The Minister of Education, Arts and Culture, Katrina Hanse-Himarwa, is also expected to attend the event that is to be graced by Omaheke Regional Governor Festus Ueitele, among other dignitaries, when it is handed over this month after the final completion inspection has been undertaken.
The Tallismanus Town Central Elementary School project is part of the ‘Hope Project Going into Africa’, jointly sponsored by China Youth Development Foundation (CYDF) and the World Eminence Chinese Business Association (WECBA), a not-for-gain charity that has built several schools for free across Africa, explained Ku the deputy general manager of SOGECOA Investments.
Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Group Co. Ltd (AFECC) is the general contractor of the Talismanus elementary school. The project commenced on October 28 2014. The new school comprises a teachers’ general office, a principal’s office, classrooms and an outdoor area for public activities and auxiliary buildings, with a total area of about 1 100 square metres.
The buildings include twelve general classrooms, one natural classroom, one music classroom, one library, corresponding bathrooms and closets, and student desks and chairs for classrooms and executive type desks and chairs for offices, said Ku.
The main outdoor works includes a single basketball court, one straight running track, roads, fences, greening and so on and once it is open it will cater for 455 students from grades 5 to 7.
China is also constructing a special secondary school at a cost of N$120 million that will accommodate 800 learners in Otjomuise, a high-density residential area on the outskirts of Windhoek. The Otjomuise Vision School is set to open in January 2016.
And since the signing of the Reciprocal Investments and Protection Agreement in 2005, China has also seen exponential growth in its investments in Namibia where several Chinese firms employ over 6 000 Namibians with its largest investment being in the Usab uranium mine, where 1 600 workers are enlisted.