Ongwediva
In heeding government’s call to combat poverty, Namsov Fishing Enterprises has to date supported some 2 880 schoolgoing children and 3 390 poverty-stricken households with fish in various regions of the country.
Apart from those who have already benefited from such fish donations, the fishing enterprise at the start of this month committed itself to again donate canned fish worth N$500 000 to Kunene, Ohangwena, Kavango East, Kavango West and the Zambezi regions, that are all heavily affected by the recurrent drought.
This year’s donation follows that provided last year at a cost of N$2 million.
“This is our second year of sharing our locally canned fish with those in need. Last year we distributed canned fish to the value of N$2 million throughout the 14 regions of our country,” said Namsov’s project coordinator Anne Marie Molatudi.
At a recent handover in Eenhana, the chief sustainability officer at Namsov, Tuna Willem, said the country needs a long-term plan and vigorous action on food security. She said Namibia needs effective agricultural activities in the regions that will enable local communities to feed themselves.
“We are honoured to be part of the team that is assisting with the reduction and ultimate eradication of poverty in our country. What we are achieving today with this donation – and as we have done in the past – is to fill the gap.
“We have mouths to feed due to the various challenges in our systems, yet we need to actively work towards sustainable food security solutions,” said Willem.
Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources Chief Samuel Ankama thanked Namsov for the donation. He said it would feed mainly those in dire need of food, especially during the current drought.
He appealed to other fishing companies to join hands with the ministry to help create jobs, address food security and eradicate poverty in the country.
“The challenge of food security cannot be left to the government alone. With the support of the private organisations’ networks, we can provide a platform for the benefit of many,” said Ankama.