Old Mutual and the Capricorn Group were two of the private sectors players that in collaboration with the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) donated much-needed medical oxygen for the country’s ailing health sector.
Old Mutual, through the NCCI’s private sector oxygen supply initiative, purchased 21 tons of medical oxygen to the value of N$350 000 to support government in addressing the current shortage of critical oxygen supply for the treatment of Covid patients in state and public healthcare facilities.
Speaking at the handover event, Ndangi Katoma, Executive: Marketing, Communications and Customer Strategy at Old Mutual, remarked that as a responsible business that has seen both good and rough seasons while operating in Namibia for the past 101 years, Old Mutual continues to stand up in protecting the lives of Namibians. He noted that “Covid-19 has been devastating to our economy and our livelihoods. The statistics started as just numbers. But the numbers turned into names and it is names that we dearly know like our colleagues and customers. For many Namibians, the names are their spouses, parents, family members, friends and associates, that have succumbed to covid, particularly in the devastating month of June.”
Old Mutual commitment to battling the effects of Covid-19 started in 2020 when a pledge of N$5 million was made towards the nationwide efforts to help address some of the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Receiving the contribution, Charity Mwiya, CEO of the NCCI and Mark Dawe, Managing Director of B2Gold Namibia commended Old Mutual for coming on board with this significant contribution.
“We extend our gratitude to the private sector and Old Mutual in particular for joining this initiative as the NCCI continues to mobilise support from within the Namibian private sector. We want to ensure that we are in a position to offset the shortfall through sponsorship and donations towards the costs and logistics in addressing the critical oxygen supply and other Covid related critical needs such as hospital beds availability in our country,” said Mwiya.
The NCCI’s private sector coalition was established as an immediate response to strengthen Namibia’s fight against the pandemic. This coalition is working together to secure oxygen supply, construct temporary medical facilities and supplying medical equipment during this spike in the pandemic. The first priority of the coalition members has been to secure emergency medical oxygen from South Africa in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Services, the Ministry of Finance and local suppliers of oxygen.
“There has never been a more poignant time for us to show what it means to be connectors of positive change. I am therefore pleased to announce that Capricorn Group, through the Capricorn Foundation, has donated an amount of N$1 050 000 which will cover the cost of three 21 tons of oxygen trucks. This means that in total, Capricorn Group’s contribution will secure 63 tons of life-saving oxygen for Namibians. In addition, we have also offered our assistance to the coalition in terms of logistical and administrative support,” said Thinus Prinsloo, group CEO.
“All the Namibian companies of Capricorn Group, including Bank Windhoek, Capricorn Asset Management and Entrepo Holdings contributed to the Capricorn Foundation, enabling the foundation to make this life-saving donation of oxygen. “I am grateful that we are in a position to contribute to this effort, which once again proves the power in collaboration and working together towards a common goal to create meaning full change and making a deep and lasting impact,” said Marlize Horn, acting head of the Capricorn Foundation.