Namdia boosts rural education with N$5.9 million investment
Former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Mines and Energy, Natangwe Ithete, has hailed the construction of new classrooms and the installation of water tanks at rural schools in Kavango West as “a tangible demonstration of natural resource beneficiation in action.”Speaking through National Council chairperson Sinimbo Muha during the handover ceremony in Ncaute on Friday, Ithete said the Namibia Desert Diamond Company (NAMDIA) invested N$5.9 million through its foundation to improve educational infrastructure and access to clean water in the region.
The project delivered four new classrooms each to Sitenda, Ekondjo, Hamweyi, and Ncaute primary schools, while Kasivi and Ncaute also received water tanks.
“This is not merely an infrastructure project; it is a statement of belief,” Muha read. “A belief that education and access to basic services remain the most powerful tools to unlock Namibia’s future.”
Ithete said the initiative supports Namibia’s Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6) under Pillar 2, which promotes equal access to education, water, and social services. “Through this lens, these classrooms and water tanks are more than philanthropy; they represent a national commitment to equitable learning environments,” he said.
He noted that the NAMDIA Foundation, the company’s social investment arm, ensures that the wealth generated from Namibia’s diamonds directly benefits communities. “Every diamond traded by NAMDIA is more than a precious stone; it is a promise fulfilled,” he said. “That promise lives in classrooms such as these, in bursaries that open doors, and in communities that gain access to clean, life-sustaining water.”
Since its establishment in 2019, the NAMDIA Foundation has invested in education, health and sport, and launched a bursary scheme in 2022 to support exceptional students nationwide.
“To our learners, these classrooms are stepping stones towards your dreams,” Ithete said. “Cherish them, study hard, and know that your country believes in you. To our teachers and principals, we salute your dedication. You are the architects of our children’s future.”
He also thanked the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, the Ministry of Works and Transport, local contractors, engineers and community leaders for their collaboration in completing the project. “This investment is not only about buildings, it’s about hope,” he said. “It’s about ensuring that every Namibian child, no matter where they live, has a fair chance to learn and succeed.” - [email protected]