Windhoek
Nedbank Namibia and Green Enterprise Solutions combined forces last week to donate 226 pairs of boys and girls shoes to the president’s office for distribution to the needy. The gesture follows President Hage Geingob’s visit to Tsumkwe during his community familiarisation tour across the country during May.
“As the second most impoverished area in Namibia, the president had a special interest in the community of Tsumkwe in his declared war on poverty. While he was there the president saw that the children in Tsumkwe go to school barefoot,” said Daisry Mathias, advisor to the president on youth and enterprise development. She accepted the donation of shoes on behalf of the president.
Mathias said the president always says that education is the greatest equalizer, but how are children expected to improve their education when their basic needs are not met?
“These shoes represent a commitment to the fight in the war against poverty so that we can build our nation,” she said.
Gernot de Klerk, head of communications and marketing at Nedbank said that Nedbank was honoured to partner with the president’s office.
“The pinnacle of our Deep Green aspirations is our quest to be involved in the environment and the community,” said De Klerk.
“Our hearts beat for this nation and our involvement extends not just to communities that support us financially, but the nation at large.”
Mathias said that the involvement of private organisations in the war against poverty demonstrates a commitment to the president’s vision of Harambee – Namibians from all walks of life and organisations, both public and private, pulling together towards the same common goal and that no resident of the Namibian House is left out.
The shoes were handed over during the Chief John Arnold Sport Festival that took place over the weekend at Tsumkwe.