Nedbank’s Go Green Fund cultivates hope

Under the harsh southern sun, where water is scarce and the soil often resists cultivation, a determined teacher decided that her school deserved more than dry ground and an empty stomach for the learners. What began as a dream to feed vulnerable children has grown into a thriving green space, a place of learning, nourishment, and hope. At Keetmanshoop Secondary School (KSS), agriculture and biology teacher, Penexupifo Shonena, is leading a project that proves that even in Namibia’s arid southern regions, sustainable farming can take root with the right support and a lot of heart. KSS is home to 615 learners, and for many, this has become both a classroom and a lifeline. "When I first arrived at KSS, the garden was dry and lifeless, but seeing my learners come to class hungry motivated me to start something that could make a real difference."That difference began when the school received a total of N$40,000 in funding from the Go Green Fund, a partnership between Nedbank Namibia and the Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF). The fund supports individuals and organisations working toward a more sustainable future while promoting environmental education to improve local livelihoods, and awareness on climate change adaptation. Since inception, the Go Green Fund has invested just under N$7 million, supporting more than 30 projects across Namibia. The KSS initiative was supported under the fund’s “Green Urbanism” request-for-proposal, which encourages innovative, sustainable solutions within community settings. With Go Green Fund’s support, Shonena and her learners installed a drip irrigation system, built shade net structures, and began cultivating vegetables to support the school’s soup kitchen, which feeds vulnerable learners twice a week: Nurture, connecting classroom theory with real-life experience. "Our Grade 11 agriculture practical results have improved so much. The students understand the process because they’ve experienced it from planting to harvesting."Out of the school’s 615 learners, 16 learners are directly responsible for maintaining the garden. They nurture spinach, carrots, onions, peas, and cabbages that go straight into the school’s meals. At the heart of the kitchen is Hedwig Lambert, affectionately known as Auntie, a volunteer who cooks for the learners and ensures that no child goes home hungry. Beyond the school fence, the ripple effects are spreading. Parents and community members have begun visiting the garden for advice on how to start small home or backyard gardens. Support from local institutions has been just as encouraging. For instance, when the school reaches out, responses come within days and without hesitation. The Namibia Correctional Services quickly offered manpower to clear weeds, while the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, continues to provide guidance and technical assistance whenever needed. "It’s no longer just a project submitted for funding. This is a life-long initiative that the school, the community, and everyone can be proud of. The Go Green Fund truly transformed our garden by giving us more than equipment; it gave us hope."Nedbank Namibia Head of Marketing and Communications, Gernot de Klerk echoed the sentiments of Shonena by highlighting the bank’s mandate of the Go Green Fund: "At Nedbank Namibia, we believe that sustainability begins at the grassroots level. Our support for the Keetmanshoop Secondary School vegetable garden is a powerful reflection of the Go Green Fund’s mission—to empower communities through environmental stewardship and sustainable resource use. This initiative not only promotes food security and environmental education among young Namibians, but also nurtures a culture of self-reliance and ecological responsibility. It’s a small garden with a big impact, and we are proud to be part of its growth."As the garden continues to grow, the school dreams of expanding, ultimately working to add a cooling facility, nursery, solar for the soup kitchen, a water tank, and training learners further in sustainable farming.

Nedbank’s Go Green Fund cultivates hope

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Republikein 2025-12-15

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Nedbank’s Go Green Fund cultivates hope

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