In an effort to combat food insecurity and promote sustainable nutrition, the Capricorn Foundation has stepped forward with a bold initiative in Namibia. Recently, the foundation contributed N$100 000 to procure 10 tons of nutritious butternut from the Mariental Horticulture Pilot Project. This abundance of produce is now on its way to benefit 10 regions and 80 organisations across the country.
Marlize Horn, executive officer of the Capricorn Foundation, expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership with WFP and the Lithon Foundation.
“As Connectors of Positive Change, we find it crucial to collaborate with like-minded organizations to engage and seek various pathways toward transforming food insecurity in Namibia, and this is another opportunity for us to do so. We are proud of our partnership with WFP and the Lithon Foundation in making sure that these butternuts are not wasted and reach the most vulnerable communities across Namibia,” she said.
The Mariental Horticulture Pilot Project, a collaborative endeavour between the government, the Namibian Correctional Service (NCS), the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), IFARMS, and the Lithon Group, had exceeded all expectations since its inception in 2022.
The project has not only produced an impressive 43 tons of butternut and pumpkins but also proved to be a multi-faceted solution to several pressing challenges faced by the nation.
One of the primary goals of this initiative was to address food production, ensuring that healthy and nutritious diets reached the most vulnerable communities.
Simultaneously, the project fostered rural transformation, offender skill development, social cohesion, and even environmental rehabilitation, making it a significant milestone in Namibia’s journey towards sustainability.
Out of the total produce, 10 tons of the bountiful harvest were allocated to support the Namibian Correctional Service in Mariental, while the remaining 33 tons were dispatched to Windhoek.
The World Food Programme then distributed 13 tons to communities in the Omaheke, Kunene, and Oshikoto regions. Recognising the potential to further impact vulnerable communities, the WFP sought to collaborate with the Capricorn Foundation to ensure that no butternut went to waste.
Last week, the Capricorn Foundation distributed 2.7 tons of butternut to vulnerable orphans and communities facing food insecurity and malnutrition. These beneficiaries were carefully identified through the foundation’s CSR partner, Imago Dei.
The remaining seven tons of nutritious butternut were distributed across the country to various towns and regions with the invaluable assistance of the Lithon Foundation, Imago Dei, Gondwana, On Time Couriers, Hardap Couriers, and several individuals.
The distribution spanned towns and regions such as //Kharas, Hardap, Omaheke, Khomas, Erongo, Otjozondjupa, Kunene, Oshana, Oshikoto, and Kavango. The collaborative efforts of these organisations and individuals have allowed the goodness of Namibia’s harvest to reach the farthest corners of the nation, touching the lives of those who need it most.
Marsia Reed, CEO of the Lithon Foundation, spoke passionately about their commitment to making a positive impact in people’s lives.
“Since the founding of Lithon in 2002, there has been a clear vision to make a positive and significant impact in the lives of people, through creating platforms for collaboration and networking with valuable partners like NCS, Capricorn Foundation, and the WFP, and investors believing in our Namibian Dream,” she stated.