By Frederick Philander
WINDHOEK
Stanlib recently awarded three young Namibian graduates an opportunity to be exposed to the field of investment and finance, it was announced in a press release.
“Education is often described as ‘the key to unlocking human potential and creating opportunity’. This is something that Stanlib firmly believes in and is passionate about.
“Our shareholder Standard Bank Namibia commits more than 60% of the funds in the Standard Bank Foundation towards educational initiatives, which includes bursaries. Stanlib echoes the belief of our shareholders that education is one of the most important issues that needs to be addressed in Namibia and we have therefore made funds available for bursaries and trainee programmes to assist young Namibians to achieve their goals of a solid education,” said Brown Amuenje, the managing director of Stanlib.
Thomas Kalimbo has received a bursary to complete his B.Comm Finance and Economics at the University of KwaZulu Natal, while Beata Magongo and Clarence Gomeb will be sent to Johannesburg to be trained as investment analysts for a period of 12 months with Stanlib SA.
Amuenje praised the government for making education a top priority in terms of budget allocations for the last 17 years.
“Government must also be applauded for building new schools and the fact that hundreds of pupils have gained access to formal education, while those who can’t find space have been able to continue their studies through Namcol,” he said. According to him, the establishment of the Education Management and Information System (EMIS) is also a positive step as statistics are very crucial and must be documented.
“Through some education structures such as school boards, SRCs, curriculum committees and panels, citizens have been accorded the opportunity to participate democratically in the country’s education process.
“However, there is still a huge need in the country in terms of education, and government alone cannot address all issues. That is why the government has on numerous occasions requested the private sector to assist in its endeavours and Stanlib, without hesitation, has heeded this request,” Amuenje concluded.