The Capricorn Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to address malnutrition and hunger in Namibia through a partnership with the Gondwana Meal4Two Programme. It committed N$600 000 for nutritional meals support across the country and N$1.4 million towards Genesis Namibia to address malnutrition in the Omaheke region.
According to the UN World Food Programme, Namibia is experiencing severe food insecurity, with 48% of the population needing urgent assistance due to prolonged drought, economic decline, unemployment, and price shocks. “We are proud of our partnership with Genesis Namibia and Gondwana Meal4Two and believe that our efforts will collectively contribute to the government’s call to fight poverty in Namibia,” said Marlize Horn, Executive Officer of the Capricorn Foundation.
Meal4Two
The Capricorn Foundation has been a long-term partner of the Gondwana Care Trust’s flagship initiative, the Meal4Two Programme. Previous support also included setting up sustainable gardens at some beneficiary organisations. The Foundation’s pledge of N$600 000 will provide 400 000 meals to 30 organisations, reaching nearly 8 000 of Namibia’s most vulnerable individuals. The Meal4Two beneficiaries include orphanages, kindergartens, school hostels, and nursing homes.
“We are incredibly grateful for the Capricorn Foundation’s continued partnership in our Meal4Two Programme. As one of our longest-standing partners, the Capricorn Foundation and Bank Windhoek have walked this journey with us by funding meals and helping us establish sustainable gardens that empower communities beyond immediate aid. Together, we’ve now served over 1.6 million meals since 2017. This partnership is a shining example of what’s possible when we unite for lasting impact,” said Quintin Hartung, Environmental and Social Impact Manager at Gondwana.
Omaheke region
In November 2024, the Capricorn Foundation launched a pilot project with Genesis Namibia to combat malnutrition in the Omaheke Region, with an initial commitment of N$565 500. The six-month pilot, from December 2024 to May 2025, aimed to support 500 children. However, the project exceeded expectations, reaching 700 children and several adults, and providing 67 000 meals across eight soup kitchens in Gobabis, Otjinene, Drimiopsis, Witvlei, Donkerbos and Epukiro.
Following the success of this pilot initiative, the Capricorn Foundation committed an additional N$849 540 to Genesis Namibia to continue its support in the Omaheke Region, this time targeting 1 000 malnourished children. In total, the foundation has pledged N$1.4 million to Genesis Namibia.
Riaan van Zyl, Genesis Namibia’s managing director, expressed his gratitude to the Capricorn Foundation, saying, “Genesis Namibia is grateful to the Capricorn Foundation for their unwavering commitment to feeding the children of Namibia. Together with the office of the governor of Omaheke and our dedicated communities, we are not just delivering meals, we are delivering hope. We are proud to be part of this life-changing initiative that brings dignity, care, and nourishment to our most vulnerable children.”
Genesis Nutritional Products are designed to nourish every cell in the body. They are packed with 13 vitamins, five minerals, 19 amino acids, omega-3 fatty acids, and five electrolytes. The programme’s success has increased visibility and demand, with more soup kitchens and clinics referring malnourished children to Genesis-supported kitchens. The project also has an electronic record process that records the children’s health progress, allowing for individual monitoring and tracking.
“We always aim to engage with the government, our project partners and affected communities to ensure that we better understand the circumstances on the ground and where we can focus our support. Recently, we visited the Genesis-supported soup kitchens in Gobabis. Following this visit, together with Genesis Namibia, we will explore the social dynamics within the Omaheke region to consider further incorporating a sustainable programme to support the impacted communities,” said Veripura Muukua.
The Capricorn Foundation is funded by Bank Windhoek, Capricorn Asset Management, and Entrepo. Established by the Capricorn Group in 2020, the foundation celebrates five years of positive change in Namibia this year, investing N$40 million in corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes and projects.