The Russian billionaire Rashid Sardarov, who owns the Marula Game Ranch near Dordabis, has committed to constructing a multi-million-dollar public school for children in the area.
Sardarov and his team held a ground-breaking ceremony on his state-of-the-art ranch, where the N$40 million school will be constructed.
Speaking through an interpreter, the Russian tycoon pledged he will provide free education to all the farm workers’ children and will also identify vulnerable and orphaned children from different regions to get an education.
The over 100 farmworkers on his farm are each provided with a proper house.
“Majority of our workers have kids. The main idea is to unite these kids with their parents and also provide them with free education. We will provide them with the best education standards. No child will pay school fees. We will also have teachers from overseas who will be involved. We already have a special arrangement with a university in Russia, where the best learner will be sent to study in Russia. We want to start very soon so that next year, the school can resume,” Sardarov noted.
Equally, Sardarov’s legal adviser Sisa Namandje explained his client saw the situation of farm workers in Namibia, who do not often live with their children. “They come from far to come work on the farm, leaving their kids in the village. Mr Rashid saw this over the years and decided to contribute towards education in Namibia. This will be one of the best schools in Namibia. He will invest N$40 million of his private funds for the first phase. Come 2024, there will be kids here, where we are standing. Projection is that as far as finances to feed, transport kids, pay teachers, recreational facilities are concerned, he [Sardarov] will spend N$20 million per annum without anyone helping him to run the school,” Namandje said.
Since the envisaged school operations will comply with education standards as set by the government, Sardarov is hopeful the ministry of education will provide them with educational support need because it is a mutual agreement.
Sardarov plans to construct a school with 12 hostel blocks to cater to learners from grades 0-12, with a carrying capacity of 120 pupils.
There will also be nine dwelling blocks for teaching and administrative staff.
The school is anticipated to resume operation in the 2024 academic year if all logistics in conjunction with the education ministry are finalised.
Elisa Mekondjo, a housekeeping supervisor, who has worked for seven years at the ranch, expressed her gratitude towards Sardarov, as her children are living far from her.
“I am very happy. It’s a dream come true. Our kids are free to come live with us. We are excited about the school. My firstborn attends school in Odibo in the north and the other one is in Windhoek. It’s not easy for a six-year-old to take care of herself. I am happy I will be able to take care of my kids as other mothers do,” she praised.
Another farmworker, Ben Haraseb, who worked at the ranch for six years, also shared his excitement about the school.
“I am a labourer. I live with my pregnant wife. I am very happy that our child will attend school here to get free education,” he said.
– anakale@nepc.com.na