After a plea from the Prime Minister to individuals and corporates to meet government halfway in assisting flood victims during her visit to northern Namibia recently, Skytents donated tents, mattresses and blankets to around 20 households. 

The company, a subsidiary of RND Holdings (PTY) Ltd, handed over the items on Thursday in Windhoek.

The donation was accepted by Fillipus Shilongo, the chief regional officer of the Ohangwena Regional Council, on behalf of the governor of the region. 

Recently, Prime Minister Saara Kuugongwela-Amadhila completed a three-day trip to regions impacted by flashfloods. 

Her final destination was in the Outapi constituency’s flood-prone districts. The Office of the Prime Minister provided a few items during her trip, and further appealed for the public and the private sectors to assist with the plight faced in the northern regions. 

At the official handover, Hellen Likando, director of risk management in the Office of the Prime Minister, expressed their appreciation towards the private sector, and its commitment towards the national call. 

“We have received donations from various sectors, and it is a great thing seeing unity from industry leaders to fast-track restoring the livelihoods of our citizens. Many families and especially children have been impacted, and it has negatively affected the school curriculum,” she added. 

RND Holdings managing director Regto David said the company will continue to be dedicated to helping its Namibian citizens, clients, communities and government in the country’s endeavours to lessen the anticipated negative economic and social effects of the northern floods. “This came to our attention a few weeks back when we heard the call from the Prime Minister’s Office, and we immediately reached out to see how we as the private sector could assist.” He noted. He further emphasised the mandate to contribute to a variety of communities as part of their corporate social responsibility. RND Holdings engages in a number of charity and goodwill endeavours frequently by being on the ground to see where the need is most, and to respond. The Chief Regional Officer of the Ohangwena Regional Council Fillipus Shilongo received the donations, and commended RND Holdings for its kind contributions. He observed that RND’s ongoing assistance to local government is in order and has a positive social and economic impact, no matter the size, and many others are thus urged to follow the same example. “On behalf of the governor’s office, we are appreciative of this donation. It’s these kinds of charitable and goodwill gestures that really make a difference in our communities. The public should never feel that a donation is too small to make a difference, as each contribution can assist a single household. We have seen the devastation first-hand, and can confirm that such donations are a restoration of dignity over a physical place to live,” he continued.

With the recent approval by Cabinet of N$72 million to fund a flood relief programme through the Prime Minister’s Office, the support and guidance from all sectors are still welcome and appreciated.