• Education

Reach every learner

Staff reporter



To help bring the benefits of mining to remote regions where mining doesn’t occur, Bannerman Resources Namibia recently visited two schools in the Omaheke Region, Donkerbos Primary School and Chief Sofia Jacobs Primary School, to provide 333 learners with individualized parcels of school uniforms, socks, shoes and backpacks.

This marks the eighth consecutive year that Bannerman, an exploration company based in Swakopmund, Namibia has provided assistance to Namibian learners though the company’s Early Learner Assistance Scheme.

Working in conjunction with the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture and the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Bannerman has to date provided assistance to more than 2,400 students, mostly in the Erongo Region, through the programme.

This year, with support from its partners in government and shareholders at the One Economy Foundation, the Bannerman team extended its reach to assist learners in the Omaheke Region.

Speaking at the handover event at the Chief Sofia Jacobs Primary School, the Councilor of the Aminuis Constituency and Member of the Second House of Parliament applauded Bannerman for its commitment to contributing to President Geingob’s goal that in building Namibia, no one should be left behind.

“When we ask what benefits we are getting from the country’s natural resources, this is the benefit, this support for needy children, from an exploration company that is near the sea but is plowing back support into rural communities,” Peter Kazongominja, said.

The importance of providing support to rural schoolchildren was evident in the assembly of those who attended the handover, including the Director of Education for the Omaheke Region, Pecka Semba; Chief Executive Officer of the One Economy Foundation, Uajorokisa Akwenye, the Traditional Chief and councilors, along with many of the learners’ parents.

Werner Ewald, Managing Director of Bannerman Resources Namibia, encouraged the schoolchildren to listen to their teachers and to cast their net wide in search of their dreams. “If your teacher says work hard, then do it. We want to hear that children from Chief Sofia Jacobs Primary School have become teachers and policeman and leaders. Work hard. You can do it. We’d like to see that in Namibia everyone realizes their dreams.”

Reflecting on the day, Uajorokisa Akweyne from the One Economy Foundation said, “We commend Bannerman Mining Resources for their passion and dedication towards Education and more so for focusing on rural, remote areas which are often overlooked. Thank you for including us and giving us the opportunity to restore dignity to the learners of the Chief Sofia Jacob Primary School."