With the effects of Covid-19 showing no signs of slowing down and certain restrictions still in place, many households and communities have been struggling to make a living. In order to ease the plight of those most affected, QKR Namibia Navachab Gold Mine recently donated food parcels valued at N$25,000 (comprising maize meal, tinned fish and cooking oil) to vulnerable members of the Otjimbingwe community.
Handing over the donation to the local Constituency leadership, Navachab Gold Mine’s Managing Director, George Botshiwe, reiterated that the mine believes in lending a helping hand in the community where it operates.
“It is not enough to just spare a thought but to stretch out a helping hand in real terms with real tangible support which can make a real difference in the lives of those we reach out to. This is what we believe as the Navachab family. To be here to make a difference in the communities around us and in our country,” he added.
Botshiwe also used the opportunity to narrate the recent success story of the Navachab Gold Mine, equating it to a “sleeping giant” that has just been awaken, when the mine faced a bleak future in 2018 and 2019. “Through our turnaround strategy Project Khaima, we are now steering into a positive direction with renewed hope and by so doing also contribute to the socio-economic development of our region and our country,” he said. He added that the mine is investing nearly half a billion Namibia dollars on mining equipment and waste stripping. He vowed that the mine will continue to remain engaged with the communities surrounding it, and also revealed that plans were afoot to extend assistance to other nearby communities.
Accepting the donation, regional councilor for the Karibib constituency Honourable Melanie Ndjago thanked the mine for the gesture. “I am deeply indebted to the Managing Director at QKR Navachab Gold Mine and his senior management for their generous donations,” Ndjago said.
She explained that the food parcels have been earmarked for distribution to traditional authorities, who in turn, will distribute it to the needy people within their jurisdictional areas. The councilor cautioned that those employed, Emergency Income Grant (EIG) beneficiaries and recipients of other government welfare grants do not qualify to receive food parcels, saying they will only be distributed to the poorest of the poor within the communities.
Contributed by QKR Namibia, Navachab gold mine
