Ombili Primary School inaugurated

On Friday, 7 August, B2Gold Namibia handed over the Ombili Primary School to the ministry of education, arts and culture. The school was built with funding to the tune of N$3 million from B2Gold.
Elizabeth Joseph
Enzo Amuele



The newly built school at Otjiwarongo was inaugurated by the governor of Otjozonjupa, James Uerikua.

The school in the middle of the Ombili informal settlement consists of two blocks with eight classrooms and four toilets.

The school has brought an immense change in the community as it will increase the number of children able to attend school. The school offers grades 1 and 2 and it has a total of 320 learners and eight teachers. In 2021, the school is expected to grow to about 360 pupils, with the addition of grade 3.

Children from Ombili, DRC and surrounding communities (as far as the Osire Refugee Camp) can now look forward to lessons in standard classrooms. Before the construction, pupils were taught in military tents on neighbouring school grounds. The municipality of Otjiwarongo donated land to the ministry of education for the construction of Ombili PS.

In his statement, Otjozondjupa governor James Uerikua said the investment of B2Gold in education is impressive due to the impact it has on the development and future of children in informal settlements.

“It is a reality that, with education, a peasant’s child can become a medical doctor, a child of a mineworker can become a mine owner, and a farmer’s child can become a president.

“In the same vein, I would also like to thank all our friends of education who have already come on board to support the ministry through innumerable initiatives and gestures,” he said.

Regional education director Josephine Mutenda said the school is an initiative of the former governor of Otjozondjupa, Otto Iipinge, in 2018.

“I cannot express what an honour it is to see the change in the lives of these beautiful children and this is because of the partnership B2Gold has with the different stakeholders”, said Mark Dawe, managing director of B2Gold Namibia.