[Namibia] Fishing Companies Construct Hall At Otjimuhiva
Three fishing companies, through the Arechanab Community Trust, constructed a N$3.5 million multi-functional dining hall for Ismael Kamati Tjimuhiva Combined School in Omusati Region.
The companies, Arechanab Fishing and Development Company, Erongo Sea Foods and Cerocic Fishing, are all horse mackerel quota holders.
The companies have shares in Erongo Sea Products, a company that owns two midwater trawl vessels, which catch the quotas. The fishing companies said they dedicate a portion of their profits to the social advancement of disadvantaged communities in Namibia, and Ismael Tjimuhiva Combined School is one of them.
This year alone the contribution by the trust towards social upliftment projects totalled N$7.6 million, according to the companies.
Since 1997, the contribution totalled roughly N$22.5 million in socio-economic development, making the trust a major force as a socio-economic contributor to various recipients in different communities throughout Namibia, the companies say.
A corrugated iron structure is where food for learners at the boarding school have been prepared since 1993.
The same unconducive structure also served as food storage facility and had no refrigeration nor electricity.
Community members and learners had a huge responsibility to collect wood for the fire to prepare the meal for learners.
Eating at this school was done under the trees or in the open - come rain, dust or sunshine. The newly constructed dinner hall is equipped with solar installation and a fully fitted industrial kitchen with cold storage to ensure the food stays fresh.
Being the only school in a remote area surrounded by marginalised communities such as the Ovatwe, San and Ovahimba, the dream and burning need was to develop the school to cater for learning in the area.
The school was established in 1993 with 35 learners and one teacher, who is now the principal of the school that boasts 551 learners and grades from one to ten.
Officially commissioning the dining hall, Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister Bernhard Esau commended the fishing sector for working together with government towards nation-building.
Esau said that the 30% quota allocation in place for local consumption is specifically for this purpose and must be adhered to.
"As the fish industry is one of the biggest employers in the country I am happy to hear that Arechanab and its associated enterprises are all registered Namibian entities with the majority control by Namibians," said the minister.
The Otjimuhiva Combined School, which serves the Himba and San communities, is situated 50km east of Opuwo in the Omusati Region.