TSUMEB – The Tsumeb Town Council raised nearly a half a million dollars during its fundraising gala dinner over the weekend. The money is to be used to organise the annual Copper Festival in the town.
“This year’s event is testament of the great things we can achieve when the community, civil society and government join hands to bring development and empowerment to communities around the country. It is therefore fitting that we chose a theme that recognizes the value of cooperation and unity,” said Copper Festival Organising Committee chairperson Julius #Gaeseb.
The pledges that totalled N$493 500 in one night came from the likes of BH Group of Companies, Dundee Precious Metals Tsumeb (DPMT), Central North Regional Electricity Distributor (Cenored), and Standard Bank Namibia, as well as various individual business personalities and individuals who attended the event.
“All those who want to succeed must think very hard and decide to make many sacrifices if they want to sit back one day and smile while harvesting the fruits of their labour. This is no small feat – I am sure all other business people and captains of commerce and industry present here will agree with me,” said the managing director of BG Group, Benjamin Hauwanga, who in his motivational speech encouraged hard work, perseverance and discipline as the recipe for success. Hauwanga also mentioned that success does not come easy and in order for one to reap the benefits of hard work one needs to work tirelessly.
Dundee Precious Metals Tsumeb (DPMT) general manager Hans Nolte said the festival not only acts as a showcase for the successes of Tsumeb and its surrounding communities, but is also a forum for large, medium and small businesses to market their products and services while at the same time increase the visibility of their brands. DPMT has been the events main sponsor for over a decade.
“I can say with confidence that Tsumeb shows perhaps the biggest growth potential of all towns in Namibia. One of the best tools to substantiate this claim is the annual Copper Festival,” said Nolte.
Standard Bank Namibia pledged N$80 000, while Cenored pledged N$15 000 with a promise for free electricity for the hosting of the 2014 festival.
Present at the event were Tsumeb mayor Linekeela Shetekela, Tsumeb Municipality chief executive officer, Alfeus Benjamin, and Swapo Party regional councillor Lebius Tangeni Tobias.