The Debmarine-Namdeb Foundation is an Incorporated Association Not for Gain, established in 2015 by Debmarine Namibia and Namdeb to be the corporate social investment vehicle for the companies.
The vision of the Foundation is to be the benchmark community partner in socio-economic development. “Our mission is to create thriving communities through partnerships and collaborations with communities in sustainable socio-economic development projects that will leave a positive diamond legacy in Namibia”, says Nora Ndopu, Executive Manager of the Debmarine-Namdeb Foundation.
Earlier this year, Ms. Nora Ndopu was appointed as the new Executive Manager to drive the objectives of the Foundation.
Through the De Beers Building Forever blueprint which aims to create a positive and sustainable impact that will endure well beyond the discovery of their last diamond, the Namibia De Beers Group of Companies (Debmarine Namibia, Namdeb and NDTC) ensures that the Building Forever philosophy is entrenched in all sustainable development projects in the communities in which they operate in and beyond. “The vision of Building Forever for the Namibia De Beers Group of Companies is making life brilliant by creating a sustainable future for our communities and environment”.
The focus areas for the Foundation are: Education, Access to opportunities with a focus on the youth, women and girl child empowerment, infrastructure development and rarity conservation/biodiversity.
Environment
The Foundation takes pride in its contribution to the environment. Some of the environmental CSR programmes the Foundation is busy with include support to Save The Rhino Trust (STRT). Areas of support to and collaboration with the STRT includes the Rhino Pride and Rhino Rangers Programmes and Reading with Rhinos booklet publications for school children. On 22 September 2022, the Debmarine-Namdeb Foundation joined the Namibia Nature Foundation, STRT, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism and other national and international stakeholders in celebrating World Rhino Day in Khorixas, Kunene Region. The Foundation was one of the major sponsors of the event that was aimed at creating awareness around the last free-roaming population of the black rhino on the Planet.
Another exciting environmental project is the establishment of the seabird emergency response centres located in Lüderitz and Oranjemund which will be officially opened on 11 November 2022. Most importantly is the planned establishment of a Seabird Rescue Centre which the DNF is collaborating on with key partners such as SANCCOB, NNF, NCE, Ministry of Fisheries, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Debmarine Namibia, to name but a few. The Centre for the conservation of seabirds is envisaged to be the first for Namibia.
Education
Education remains one of the biggest pillars for the Debmarine-Namdeb Foundation and have over the years supported various projects in schools ranging from building classrooms to renovating a school hall and support to the ||Kharas Regional Science Fair. This year, the Debmarine–Namdeb Foundation partnered with Anglo-American Namibia Foundation and the ||Kharas Regional Directorate of Education to host Annual ||Kharas Regional Science Fair. Sixty learners from 12 schools across the region participated and the top thirteen were selected to participate and compete in the National Science Fair to be held later this year.
Amongst other forms educational support, the Debmarine-Namdeb Foundation is currently building classrooms at the Auas Primary School in Katutura, Windhoek. It has previously supported the Krönlein Secondary School in Keetmanshoop towards the renovations of a school hall and a Pre-school in Gobabis.
The Foundation has invested significantly in the health sector during the COVID pandemic and also collaborated with an agency called Development Workshop towards the elimination of Hepatitis B in Windhoek.
Supporting the Girl-child
Education remains one of the biggest pillars for the Debmarine-Namdeb Foundation and have over the years supported various projects in schools ranging from building classrooms to renovating a school hall and support to the ||Kharas Regional Science Fair. This year, the Debmarine–Namdeb Foundation partnered with Anglo-American Namibia Foundation and the ||Kharas Regional Directorate of Education to host Annual ||Kharas Regional Science Fair. Sixty learners from 12 schools across the region participated and the top thirteen were selected to participate and compete in the National Science Fair to be held later this year.
Amongst other forms educational support, the Debmarine-Namdeb Foundation is currently building classrooms at the Auas Primary School in Katutura, Windhoek. It has previously supported the Krönlein Secondary School in Keetmanshoop towards the renovations of a school hall and a Pre-school in Gobabis.
The Foundation has invested significantly in the health sector during the COVID pandemic and also collaborated with an agency called Development Workshop towards the elimination of Hepatitis B in Windhoek.
