ONGWEDIVA - Former Ohangwena governor Usko Nghaamwa last week donated N$126 000 to the Onakaale Combined School’s learners and teachers.
Of this amount, N$55 000 will be awarded to the overall best-performing learner, while the second-best learner will receive N$25 000.
The best teacher will get N$16 000, and second-best N$8 000.
N$22 000 of the total donation was already handed over last year - N$19 000 went to the school’s cultural group and N$ 3 000 was given to parents to take care of their children.
Since becoming patron of the school in 2008, Nghaamwa has been digging deep into his pockets to prioritise the school. That same year, he contributed materials worth N$22 700 to help build the school’s library, and in 2017 donated stationery worth N$10 000 and a deep freezer.
In 2022, he also donated N$117 400 worth of materials to construct a fence for the school.
Speaking at the event, Nghaamwa highlighted the need to invest in the education of the Namibian child.
“Teaching a Namibian child is creating a better future for the country. Investing in a child’s education is investing in a life-long benefit that will never get old,” he stressed.
Nghaamwa thus encouraged the learners to study hard so that they can uplift the Namibian economy through manufacturing.
“We should learn how to manufacture our own finished goods to avoid ordering or buying from other countries,” he stated.
Ohangwena chief of planning in the directorate of education, arts and culture Petrus Fotolela acknowledged Nghaamwa’s commitment and dedication to the school.
“The donation is an important part of greater efforts to connect our communities through the provision of quality education and strategic infrastructure investment, and is a major step in stimulating next-level socio-economic development in the school,” he stated.
Like Nghaamwa, Fotolela reasoned that investing in children will secure a better future for the country.
“Our education ministry understands it is responsible for providing the infrastructure that will serve the next generation of learners and the next generation of job- creators that are vital to the health of our community and to propel us through the Fourth Industrial revolution,” continued Fotolela.
School principal Sanio Mutilifa said from the N$117 400 worth of material which was donated last year, materials worth N$22 999 were left, which they used to build a storage room.
“Words alone cannot express our gratitude to Nghaamwa. May you never lack any good thing in your life, just as your name Nghihepavali means. You are heaven-sent; our rescuer in good and bad times,” a thankful Mutilifa told him.