From left-right: Ms. Mclesia Mbaisa (MLR), Ouma Magdalena Gamgawases (Drimiopsis), Mr. Johannes Abusema (Chairperson, Drimiopsis Committee), Hon. Clara Bohitile (Chairperson, FNB Foundation Namibia), Bernadette Shalumbu (DRFN), Mr. Tebele (Kalahari Constituency Office)
FNB Handover
Thursday 21 September 2017, was a joyous occasion as the FNB Namibia Foundation handed over a sponsorship amount of N$100,000.00 to the DRFN in support of training activities in the three resettlement farms of Drimiopsis, Skoonheid and Donkerbos. This donation was made to the LISUP-4 project to support the ongoing efforts of the DRFN towards improving the livelihoods of San communities through agricultural production. The hand-over ceremony was held in Drimiopsis, being the closest of the three farms to Gobabis. The FNB Namibia Foundation board Chairperson Hon. Clara Bohitile delivered the keynote address on behalf of FNB; whereby she urged beneficiaries to work hard to ensure that this donation is fully utilized and the resources do not go to waste. Given that Ministry of Land Reform (MLR) is the key partner on the LISUP project, Ms. Mclesia Mbaisa the regional director of MLR made the official welcoming remarks thereby thanking FNB Foundation for their generous support towards the project.A representative from the Kalahari Constituency Councilors’ office; Mr. Tebele also echoed the sentiments of Ms. Mbaisa and was indeed grateful for the donation that was coming towards the development of the constituency. He applauded FNB Foundation for their generous donation and was grateful to Hon. Bohitile for taking time out of her schedule to conduct this hand-over ceremony. Community members also raised their appreciation towards FNB Namibia for assisting them as agriculture is the basis of their livelihoods. These communities have been negatively impacted by the drought and water challenges as a result thereof and they see this donation as a much welcome relief. They vowed to make the most out of the training and they look forward to selling their excess produce. This training is expected to run for a period of six months starting September 2016 until February 2018. Over these 6-months period these beneficiaries will receive mentoring to be able to act as examples and resources for other interested parties on the farm. The DRFN has enlisted the services of Mr. Fabian von Hase, a dynamic and renowned trainer in the agricultural field to assist with this assignment. More information on his services can be found on his website: http://www.ecolivingnam.com/