Renthia Kaimbi
Benguela Petroleum Supplies, a Namibian-owned company based in the Erongo Region, has donated 1,500 sanitary pads valued at nearly N$30,000 to the Office of the Erongo Governor.
The donation followed a courtesy visit aimed at aligning the company’s future plans with regional development priorities, particularly youth unemployment.
The donation was made in collaboration with JaDa Pads. Company founder Gideon Tshomokuti met with Erongo Governor Nathalia /Goagoses to provide an overview of Benguela Petroleum’s operations and future plans.
The company operates in the downstream petroleum sector, supplying a wide range of fuel and oil products to various industries, including mining, fishing, aviation, rail transport, and road transport.
Tshomokuti said the familiarisation visit was primarily intended to understand the governor’s vision and plans for the region, especially as they pertain to youth unemployment.
“We have several developments in line and wanted to familiarise ourselves with the honourable governor’s plans and vision for the region, so that we don’t steer away from the needs of our people,” he told the Windhoek Observer yesterday.
Jane-Juanita James, founder of JaDa Pads, told the Windhoek Observer that the donation was made possible through a collaborative partnership between JaDa Pads and Benguela Petroleum Supplies, led by Tshomokuti.
She said his vision was to give back to the communities of the Erongo Region that have contributed to his personal and professional journey.
“This initiative addresses an immediate need while reflecting a shared commitment to dignity, education, health, and empowerment,” James said.
James further explained that the donation also supports JaDa Pads’ long-term vision of establishing a sustainable local manufacturing plant for sanitary pads in Namibia.
Such a plant would create employment opportunities while strengthening local value chains, all while ensuring affordable menstrual hygiene products that are produced locally for Namibian women and girls.
The initiative therefore serves a dual purpose, she said, by addressing the immediate need for sanitary products while simultaneously testing market demand ahead of potential local manufacturing and expansion efforts.
Period poverty remains a significant challenge in Namibia, with many young girls missing school due to lack of access to affordable menstrual hygiene products.
The donation of 1,500 pads will be distributed through the Governor’s Office to communities in need across the Erongo Region.
The partnership between Benguela Petroleum Supplies and JaDa Pads represents a private sector contribution to addressing both economic and social challenges in the region.
By combining Tshomokuti’s resources and business network with James’s expertise in menstrual health products, the two entities say they have demonstrated a model of collaboration that addresses immediate humanitarian needs while building toward sustainable local production.
/Goagoses described the donation of 1,500 sanitary pads to her office as a joyous day for destitute members of the community, expressing gratitude on behalf of the government and the people of the region.
Speaking as a teacher and a mother, the governor said she is particularly mindful of young girls who sometimes skip school due to a lack of access to menstrual hygiene products.
“Today is another joyous joyous day in the lives of the destitute members of our society,” /Goagoses said.
“These young Namibians operating in the Erongo Region under the company operating as Benguela Petroleum Supplies have brought to the office of the governor a total of 1,500 sanitary pads. Something that, on behalf of our people and the government, I am grateful for.”
/Goagoses accepted the sanitary pads, which will be distributed to vulnerable girls and women across the region in consultation with the Directorate of Education within the Erongo Regional Council.
