Heather Erdmann
REHOBOTH – Learners of the Vooruitsig Primary School in Block E, Rehoboth, on Friday welcomed Netagea Investment, a fishing company, with songs and praise, filling the school grounds with a jovial and celebratory atmosphere.
It set the tone for a handover ceremony where Netagea donated crumbed fish worth N$25 000 to support the school’s feeding programme.
The school, originally built to accommodate 900 learners, now serves about 1 300. The increase has placed pressure on infrastructure and resources, with many learners coming from vulnerable households.
About 80% of learners face socio-economic challenges, including food insecurity.
“For some learners, the meals provided through the school’s feeding scheme are the only reliable source of nutrition they receive in a day,” a head of department said.
He added that the programme remains essential in helping learners concentrate and improve academically.
This initiative aligns with Namibia’s Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), which prioritises food security, poverty reduction, and child nutrition through school feeding programmes as key tools for human development.
Speaking at the handover, Netagea chairperson Fenny Kamosho said the donation was about investing in children’s futures. “Today is not just about handing over boxes of food; it is about investing in the future,” she said.
Kamosho stressed the link between nutrition and education, noting that hunger directly affects learning.
“You cannot expect a child to remain focused in the classroom when they are hungry,” she said.
She added that the company views the initiative as part of a long-term commitment to communities.
“We do not see this as a once-off gesture. We look forward to building a lasting relationship with Vooruitsig Primary School,” she said.
Rehoboth mayor Jackie Khariseb, who attended the event, described the donation as an act of compassion and hope.
He said hunger remains a barrier to education, noting that hungry learners struggle to focus and participate in class.
“A hungry child struggles to dream,” he said.
The mayor added that while such donations bring relief, consistent support from the business community is needed.
He called for sustained corporate social responsibility in Rehoboth, saying support should not be occasional.
“This gesture is a lifeline that says to a child: your future matters,” he said.
School principal Benody Beukes thanked the donor, saying the contribution strengthens both learning and learner well-being.
“This contribution goes far beyond providing meals. It represents care, compassion, and a commitment to the future of our children,” she said.
Learners also expressed gratitude. A Grade 4 learner, Christine Amutenya, said the donation showed that people care about their struggles.
“Your kindness has touched our hearts and uplifted our spirits,” the learner said.
Netagea Investments Pty Ltd, a 100% Namibian-owned fishing company, said its corporate social responsibility is rooted in education and community upliftment.
As learners received the donation, the schoolyard remained filled with songs and movement, a moment where celebration and need met in one space.
For many children, the school meal is not just food but a foundation for learning, dignity, and opportunity.
Photo: Heather Erdmann