Communities

• External Affairs
• The Rössing        Foundation
• Environmental        Stakeholder        Engagement
• Environmental        Education

COMMUNITIES

Rössing Foundation

For The Rössing Foundation, a number of milestones were reached in 2007 in various projects at Arandis, namely the Whole School Development Programme, the Arandis Sustainability Development Project, and community development projects covering agriculture, small- and medium scale enterprises (SMEs), youth development initiatives, and community consultation.Other highlights in 2007 were the capacity building provided to the Arandis Town Council, and infrastructure assistance in terms of the water reticulation system, sewerage system, and town planning.

Overall, The Rössing Foundation aligned its educational strategies to the Namibian Government’s Education and Training Sector Improvement Programme (ETSIP) requirements. Throughout the year, The Rössing Foundation was visited by numerous partners and stakeholders in education to study the Foundation’s approach towards improving education provision in the Erongo Region. The work done so far and the present level of success experienced have attracted other partners such as the Scorpion Zinc Mine to introduce the implementation of a similar approach with their partner in education in the Karas Region.

As part of the Whole School Development Programme, 11 tutors were contracted to assist partner schools in Arandis and Swakopmund. These tutors are attached to schools during the morning to coach and mentor teachers and learners at the same time. Through these processes, capacity amongst teachers will be improved.In order to successfully implement this programme, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between The Rössing Foundation and the Erongo Regional Education Office in Swakopmund in June 2007. The MoU outlines the roles and responsibilities of both institutions in terms of programme implementation and the use of resources and interventions. The MoU is strengthened by a Project Steering Group that meets monthly to monitor and assess programme progress and possible shortfalls.Moreover, all the stakeholders in Arandis have formed an Education Subcommittee as part of the Arandis Sustainability Development Project, with the aim of making Arandis a centre of education excellence and a town of choice.

In 2007, 190 Grade 10 learners attended The Rössing Foundation’s 2007 Spring School in Ondangwa, which covered Biology, Physical Science and Mathematics. In Arandis and Swakopmund, 100 Grade 12 learners participated in English and Mathematics. In addition, 734 Grade 7 learners attended the Spring School at Arandis and Swakopmund, and covered subjects such as English, Physical Science and Mathematics.

A total of 150 Lower Primary learners from Arandis and Swakopmund were involved in holiday educational activities to improve their reading competency.

Other highlights during the year under review include the temporary installation of the Master Math Programme at the Arandis Community Development Centre. The programme was tested in the last quarter of 2007, and is ready to be fully implemented during 2008. A suitable Master Math Coordinator was also employed and trained during 2007. Two Mathematics experts were trained as additional support to the Master Math trainer. The Master Math Programme was developed with the South African syllabus in mind, so it had to be adapted to be in line with the Namibian syllabus. So far, 80% of the syllabus has been taken into account in the programme, and it should be fully incorporated by the first quarter of 2008.

The building plans for the Mathematics and Science Centres at Arandis, Ondangwa and Swakopmund were handed over to the builder in October 2007. Construction is expected to be completed by June 2008.

The Arandis People Living with HIV/AIDS Support Group, with the assistance of the Rössing Peer Educators, visited the Tulongeni Communal Gardening Project based in the nearby coastal town of Henties Bay to get ideas on how to implement a similar initiative at Arandis. The visit was sponsored by The Rössing Foundation.

Several learners from the UB Dax and Kolin Foundation Schools in Arandis participated in science fair competitions, competing at regional and national level with other Namibian schools.Together they won six gold, three silver and two bronze medals on the national level, while one of the local learners obtained the award for the best project overall. A few learners also visited South Africa to participate in an international Science Fair competition.

Hopes Promise, a safe haven for vulnerable children in Arandis, was the first beneficiary of Rössing’s Employees Contribution Fund .