By Catherine Sasman
WINDHOEK
First Lady Penehupifo Pohamba expressed gratitude to the Old Mutual Foundation for its corporate social investments in communities across Namibia, saying that such donations directly supplement Government’s efforts to combat poverty and illiteracy.
At a gala dinner of the Old Mutual Foundation on Tuesday last week, Pohamba said as much as Government is responsible to provide for the welfare and security of the citizenry, so too do companies have an ethical role to play in the development of communities.
“The main objective of corporate social investment should be to contribute to the creation of a stable and prosperous society,” the First Lady said.
The Old Mutual Foundation, established in 1999, put in N$2.2 million in 2007 and plans to invest N$3.5 million in its social corporate programme in five main focal areas. These are education, community development, health and welfare, staff community building and financial education.
According to the CEO of the foundation, Raimund Snyders, the body has invested N$1.5 million over three years to train 150 school principals in leadership and management.
Another major involvement of the foundation in the education sector is the Ekondopeko Mathematics Project in Kavango, which was launched in 2005 in partnership with Nedbank.
The foundation has also invested N$100 000 in the development of netball and soccer in the northern regions.
Snyders said the foundation very deliberately spread its social investments equitably throughout the various regions in the country.
Amongst other projects sponsored over the years are the Mahetago Community Centre in Swakopmund, Women’s Action for Development (WAD) activities, setting up a shelter for expecting mothers at the Engela District Hospital, a donation of medical equipment to the Mangetti Dune Health Centre and sponsorships to the Etago projects in Rundu and Keetmanshoop.