Republikein Newspaper

The Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) has donated a block of three classrooms valued at N$457 000 to Sakaria H Nghikembua Primary School in the Oshikunde Constituency near Eenhana. The school has 152 learners and they have been challenged with a shortage of classroom facilities.

DBN always gives back to the community and is very involved in education, DBN CEO Martin Inkumbi says.

The bank values education and sees it as fundamental for the development and progress of the human race.

Inkumbi says the bank has a scorecard for the development impact of projects that it undertakes, and education is highly rated on the scorecard.

He expressed pride in the bank’s track record of developing educational facilities. Among the large businesses and infrastructure projects DBN has financed over the years, there is a strand of finance for private schools as well as donations for public-sector schools and educational initiatives.

Besides the donation to Sakaria Nghikembua Primary School, the bank also made a substantial donation towards a school hall for Romanus Kamunoko Secondary at Rundu, upgrading of hostel facilities and repairs to a school damaged by flooding. The bank has also provided finances to a number of privately operated pre-schools, schools and tertiary institutions.

Inkumbi says the learners of Sakaria Nghikembua Primary School and schools like it have a special significance for the bank.

Although the school is challenged by its lack of facilities, its learners are its future assets. The profile of the school indicates that approximately 90 percent of the learners face socio-economic challenges, he pointed out.

Although DBN is dedicated to levelling the playing field for all Namibians, the bank also sees a future for Namibia and its people who learn to overcome their challenges.

“Many people who rise above their obstacles and difficulties emerge on the other side as well-rounded individuals. They develop problem-solving skills and become resilient to when approached with difficult times. People such as these return to serve and develop their communities, and become an important part of the future prosperity of Namibia,” Inkumbi said.

In addition to its donations to education and educational initiatives, DBN also uses its corporate social investment activities to make impacts on poverty alleviation, community health and wellbeing, general skills development, the business environment and environment and biodiversity management.



Caption: A hand up for education. The Development Bank of Namibia recently donated a block of three classrooms to Sakaria H.Nghikembua Primary School. Pictured at the commissioning of the block are Ohangwena governor Valde Ndevashiya, DBN CEO Martin Inkumbi, constituency councillor Lonia Shinana-Kaishungu and the principal of Sakaria H. Nghikembua, Junias T. Nghishoongele.