On 27 April 2021, B2Gold officially handed over the completed Karundu Primary School Hall to the Ministry of Education, Arts, and Culture in Otjiwarongo.

The hall has a capacity to accommodate 500 people. It also includes change rooms and a stage with an access ramp for people living with physical disabilities. The total cost of the project was N$ 1.3 million.

In his statement, the Mayor of Otjiwarongo, Gottlieb Shivute, applauded B2Gold for uplifting and empowering children and future leaders of the Otjozondjupa Region. He called upon other businesses and institutions in the region to emulate B2Gold’s efforts of investing money back into the local community.  The Otjozondjupa Chief Regional Officer, Agatha Mweti, also urged the teachers and learners to look after the building and safeguard it against vandalism.

B2Gold Namibia Managing Director and Country Manager, Mark Dawe, encouraged the school committee to maintain the upkeep of the hall. “I’m hoping that this hall will improve the livelihood of many generations for years to come.” Dawe further expressed his gratitude for B2Gold as a group for its generosity in assisting schools in the region. “I’m happy that we are making a difference in the community.”

B2Gold has been actively investing in the Namibian child’s education, particularly in the Otjozondjupa Region. In 2019 B2Gold repaired damaged school desks, chairs, and donated over 700 additional chairs and 200 tables to the Karundu Primary School to address the challenge of overcrowded classrooms. Furthermore, B2Gold funded the construction of Ombili Primary School (Phase 1) which was completed in April 2020. The Company is currently busy with a Phase 2 expansion which will include eight classrooms, an administration block, two storerooms and a feeding programme shelter. Phase 2 should be finalized towards the end of the year. The school currently has registered 320 pupils in grades 1 and 2 with eight teachers.

Contributed by B2Gold