Speaking at the official handover ceremony, the Subject Advisor for Commercial Subjects at the Education Ministry's regional office in Swakopmund, Vangii Kavendjii, reiterated that: “The Ministry accepts the donation with great appreciation for Rössing's continued investment in the education of the youth of the region.” Addressing the school's more than 700 learners, she added that “Information Technology has not reached all schools in Namibia yet and that the Festus !Gonteb learners should make full and responsible use of this privilege bestowed on them.”
Rössing's Corporate Communications Practitioner, Botha Ellis, delivered a speech on behalf of the Rössing's Manager for Corporate Communications and External Relations, Jerome Mutumba. He stated that: “Rössing's strategy and input to education in the region is in line with the Ministry of Education's policy as reflected in the curriculum for Basic Education” and that “Rössing is passionate in its efforts to develop and grow a bright and competent next generation workforce that can help to elevate all Namibians to greater heights in all spheres of society. That is why the mine invested more than N$18 million last year alone in its skills training, bursary, and educational assistance programmes, benefiting 440 participants. Over the last five years Rössing has invested more than N$61 million in training and development.”
In accepting the donation, the Principal of Festus !Gonteb Junior Primary School, Fillemon Abraham thanked Rössing by saying: “Rio Tinto Rössing has over the years always made provision for donations such as this and always assist where they can. We congratulate and thank them with a commitment to introduce at least 40 minutes of computer-related subjects each day for all grades in the near future.”
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Fillemon Abraham, Principal of Festus !Gonteb Junior Primary School receiving the donation from Botha Ellis, Rössing's Corporate Communications Practitioner in the school's new computer room, with teachers of the school and members of the school board testing out the computers. |
The wonder of Information Technology! Festus !Gonteb learners smile at the prospect of becoming computer literate. |
Theo Whittaker of the Windhoek based Community Education Computer Society of Namibia, CECS, and his team were responsible for the installation of relevant software from Microsoft Namibia, whilst the CECS will also maintain the computers and provide training for teachers.
Over the forthcoming months seven more schools in the region will benefit from this donation. The other schools still to receive computers are Immanuel Ruiters Junior Primary School, Narraville Primary School, Arandis Primary School, Kamwandi Primary School, Katora Primary School, Brandberg Primary School and JP Brand Primary School.
Released by:
Jerome Mutumba
Manager Corporate Communications and External Relations
Enquiries:
Alwyn Lubbe
Superintendent Corporate Communications and External Relations
T: +264 (0)64 520 2436
F: +264 (0)64 520 2286