SATOTWA – Two rural schools in the Kavango West region were upgraded and expanded through the addition of classrooms and dormitories.
The projects were funded through grants from the Chinese government.
The beneficiaries are Simanya and Satotwa Combined Schools.
They each got new classrooms, hostel blocks and sports facilities.
The donation featured teacher houses, administration blocks, ablution facilities, libraries and beds.
Last week, education minister Anna Nghipondoka received the donations on behalf of the government at Satotwa village.
“We gather here in a spirit of gratitude and optimism as we celebrate a significant milestone in our commitment to improving educational infrastructure in Namibia,’’ she said. She furthermore expressed gratitude to the Chinese government for its intervention, describing it as a generous donation of essential education facilities.
“This donation, made possible by the government of the People’s Republic of China, through the Agency for International Economic Cooperation, will undoubtedly transform the educational landscape for our learners and educators alike,’’ she remarked.
The minister noted that the “bond between Namibia and China has deep historical roots, dating back to the 1960s, when China stood firmly with us in our struggle for independence’’.
“This friendship has blossomed over the past 34 years, marked by mutual support and a shared vision for progress. As we acknowledge this significant contribution today, we also honour the enduring spirit of South-South cooperation, a principle that guides our collaborative efforts. Under the leadership of president Xi Jinping, China has demonstrated unwavering commitment to assisting Namibia in our socio-economic development,’’ she said.
Chinese ambassador to Namibia Zhao Weiping said “The Namibian government and leaders have always taken education as a key priority in national development. I personally had the honour of discussing with minister Nghipondoka several times on China-Namibia development cooperation around education. I believe, with the leadership of the Namibian government, Namibia will make constant progress in its educational undertaking,’’ he said.