ONGWEDIVA – The Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) says its northern branch’s networking dinner exceeded all expectations. This is because the event was not only attended by both President Hifikepunye Pohamba and First Lady Penehupifo Pohamba, as well as Founding President, Dr Sam Nujoma, but also because of the overall participation of more than 350 businesses captains and representatives of local and regional authorities and institutions, making the event a resounding success.
Organised by the NCCI Northern Branch and held at the University of Namibia (Unam) Hifikepunye Pohamba Campus in Ongwediva, the gathering aimed at providing a platform for an intense exchange between the private and the public sector as well as to demonstrate cohesion and unity towards the challenges of economic development and prosperity for Namibia.
Central to the event was also the celebration of President Pohamba’s 78th birthday and based on his own suggestion that instead of spending money on birthday advertisements in newspapers, business people should rather contribute towards the President’s Charity Fund, the NCCI Northern Branch raised pledges in cash and kind amounting to about N$1.2 million.
Leading the pack, the Oshikango-based companies International Commercial Limited and Ezzy Import and Export each pledged N$100 000, followed by NamPower with N$78 000 and Jack’s Trading and Chicco Group with N$50 000 each. The chairperson of the NCCI Northern Branch, Tomas Iindji, outlined that the President’s Charity Fund was initiated a year ago to enhance social cohesion and benefit the poorest, disadvantaged and marginalised members of the local community in all 14 regions.
In his remarks the Head of State sincerely thanked the NCCI Northern Branch and the northern business community for this incredible contribution, saying that they have provided a remarkable demonstration of their corporate social responsibility and that such generosity would go a long way in creating a caring society. President Pohamba also explained that the focus of the fund is set on high quality education providing bursaries, sponsorships and other forms of assistance to less privileged children.
In more general terms the President assured the northern business community that government was committed towards providing a safe and conducive environment for businesses by enacting relevant laws, building physical infrastructure and sound telecommunication networks.
Later during the networking dinner Founding President Dr Sam Nujoma handed awards to the NCCI satellite branches, with Oshakati being honoured as the best growth centre, Ondangwa the best communicator and Helao Nafidi as the best co-ordinator. Unam’s Northern Small Business Centre received the best partnership award.
By Staff Reporter