Erongo RED has donated N$71 423 to support community development initiatives in the Erongo Region, with the funds expected to help empower marginalised communities and create opportunities for a better future.
The donation, made through the Office of the Governor, comprises proceeds from the Erongo RED 20th Anniversary Half Marathon, which took place in November last year. The Office of the Governor assisted in identifying beneficiaries for the funds. Speaking at the handover ceremony, Erongo RED Chief Executive Officer Immanuel !Hanabeb said the inaugural half marathon attracted 537 participants across the 5km, 10km and 21.1km categories.
The event brought together experienced athletes, first-time runners, young people, senior citizens, volunteers, sponsors and supporters from across Namibia. !Hanabeb said the participation and support of the community enabled the event to generate N$71 423, which the company was proud to donate towards initiatives benefiting communities in the region. “At Erongo RED, we often work with numbers. We measure electricity consumption, network performance, connections, losses and efficiencies. Yet some numbers tell a different story.
The number 537 tells us that people are willing to unite behind a worthy cause,” he said. He added that Erongo RED remained committed to supporting initiatives that improve people’s lives, noting that meaningful development required investment not only in infrastructure but also in communities. Through its Contingency Fund for the current financial year, the company has committed to several community development projects.
These include partnerships with the municipalities of Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and Henties Bay to support the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) infrastructure aimed at improving public safety and preventing crime. The company has also resolved to electrify a shipping container situated on Erf 541 in Usab, Karibib, at a cost of more than N$114 000.
Once completed, the facility is expected to serve as a trading hub for small and medium enterprises, creating opportunities for entrepreneurship, economic participation and sustainable livelihoods. “Whether through improved safety, support for local enterprise, education initiatives or community development programmes, Erongo RED remains committed to creating lasting value within the communities we are privileged to serve,” !Hanabeb said. The Governor of the Erongo Region Dr. Natalia /Goagoses said the donation presented an opportunity to address the needs of marginalised communities and complement the government’s development efforts. She explained that, rather than using the money to expand her office facilities, she had chosen to direct the support towards communities in need through a social justice programme. “Government alone cannot reach out to every corner of our needs, so the social justice efforts that I am doing are to complement the efforts of the government,” she said.
/Goagoses emphasised that every person in the region should be included in its development agenda, adding that unity and cooperation were essential for communities to benefit from available opportunities. “Inclusion spells harmony, whereas exclusivity spells conflict,” she said. As part of the support, /Goagoses announced that N$30 000 would be allocated to the San community as a starting point for its development efforts. She called on community members to work together, organise themselves and ensure that the funds were managed transparently and responsibly. She said the community would be expected to establish an appropriate account or trust arrangement, agree on how the money should be used and provide financial reports and activity plans./Goagoses stressed that the assistance was intended to help communities become self-reliant rather than dependent on donations.
She also highlighted the potential for future support for initiatives such as gardening, skills training and other projects that could help communities participate in the mainstream economy. “Social justice means caring and sharing, sharing and caring. But how do you care and share if you are not united?” she asked, urging the San community to work together under accountable leadership.
Representing the Erongo San Community Development Committee, Markus Somseb expressed gratitude to Erongo RED and the Office of the Governor for the support, describing the donation as an opportunity to strengthen community development and improve the well-being of San communities across the region. He said the community faced economic challenges but remained committed to building partnerships and creating opportunities for its people. “It is with this vision in mind that our new committee has been established, with a sincere commitment to promoting the development, empowerment and well-being of San communities throughout the Erongo Region,” Somseb said. He pledged that the committee would uphold the principles of trust, accountability, transparency and reliability in managing the funds.“We therefore pledge to account responsibly for every donation and contribution entrusted to our committee, ensuring all resources are used solely for their intended purpose and for the benefit and well-being of all San communities in the Erongo Region,” he said.
Somseb also commended the Governor for her continued efforts to assist marginalised communities, saying the support had given them hope as they worked towards a better future. “Your generosity means more than words can express. It encourages us, strengthens our determination, and reminds us that meaningful development is possible when communities and partners work together,” he said. He expressed hope that the donation would mark the beginning of a lasting partnership between the San community, Erongo RED and the Office of the Governor, built on mutual respect, trust and accountability.
The donation highlights the role that partnerships between businesses, government and communities can play in addressing social challenges and creating opportunities for inclusive development across the Erongo Region.
By Sharlien Tjambari
