By Berio Mbala WINDHOEK The Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia (SDFN) has received 1ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ 600 bags of cement from Holcim Namibia as part of the cement wholesaler’s social responsibility programme towards the nation. Speaking at the hand-over, the country manager of Holcim Namibia, Johan Burger, said Holcim Namibia would like to partner with SDFN and the Namibia Housing Action Group (NHAG) to ensure the poorest of the poor benefit from its programme. The donation marks the beginning of a long-term relationship in which Holcim Namibia wants SDFN to move forward with the donation of 1ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ 600 bags of cement to assist the organization in its move forward with a housing project underway. Giving the keynote address at the ceremony the Governor of Khomas Region, Sophia Shaningwa, said: “The federation has been an active movement in mobilizing communities throughout Namibia to respond to their own needs. I am also deeply touched by the move that Holcim Namibia has joined hands with a grassroots organization to assist them in achieving their objectives of constructing low-cost houses for themselves.” She said government is committed to the upliftment of the living conditions of all, but cannot achieve this alone, and therefore calls on all stakeholders to mobilize resources that can be used to fight poverty. “It’s for us, as sons and daughters of the soil, to develop Namibia for citizens of this country,” she added. She also said: “A house is an investment that is unquestionable which your children can inherit.” “We truly applaud Holcim Namibia for this big and significant donation they are making to the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia which will benefit its members of which some are pensioners, disabled, street vendors, domestic workers, single mothers,” said the Governor. “I am informed that members of the Shack Dwellers Federation are planning to build over 372 houses over the next six months and to continue assisting the poor to save and work together to achieve Vision 2030,” she added. Shaningwa called upon the private sector to emulate what Holcim Namibia has done and to work together to overcome poverty. Director of Housing Habitats Planning and Technical Coordination, Vilkka Kamboua, said it was a good sign that the private sector has realized that social responsibility programmes are important in the country, especially by getting involved in housing provision. “I am glad we are getting more weapons from different directions to target Shack Dwellers and thus make a great contribution to Vision 2030,” she said, adding: “Together we can do better.” Giving the votes of thanks, Board Member of Namibia Housing Action Group, Natanael Areseb, said Holcim Namibia has made a big contribution after years of working on the project to assist Shack Dwellers. This is a great empowerment to the poor people in our country, he said. He thanked Holcim Namibia, the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia and the Namibia Housing Action Group, saying: “Together we can do better.”