Staff Writer
The Capricorn Foundation has approved a further investment of N$1.2 million in Rural Revive, reaffirming its long-term commitment to inclusive economic advancement, environmental stewardship and sustainable livelihoods in rural Namibia.
The funding, approved by the foundation’s board in May 2026, will support a 12-month consolidation phase of the Rural Revive initiative in Maltahöhe, enabling the project to strengthen the systems, infrastructure and organisational capacity needed to secure and scale the gains already achieved.
Rural Revive, an initiative of the Wolwedans Foundation’s AridEden Vision 2050, is building a locally rooted, desert-based economy by integrating horticulture, waste management, logistics, skills development and community participation into a single model.
The Capricorn Foundation was the first local private sector corporate donor to support the initiative, investing N$1.17 million in 2025.
With this newly approved investment, the foundation’s total support now rises to N$3.37 million, underscoring its confidence in a partnership that is demonstrating how systems-based rural development can create durable social, economic and environmental value.
The newly approved funding will focus on consolidating and strengthening core work packages that are already operational.
These include project management and organisational development; infrastructure upgrades for the waste management facility at Marauns Garage; the establishment of the Desert Runner Terminal for fresh produce logistics; the Andrewville Community Hub; and the expansion of the horticulture campus and seedling nursery.
The investment responds directly to the recommendations of an independent external evaluation completed in March 2026, which confirmed that Rural Revive has established a functioning ecosystem of interdependent platforms and identified consolidation as the next critical phase for long-term sustainability.
Over the past funding cycle, the Capricorn Foundation’s financial support helped sustain the waste management facility, strengthen horticulture infrastructure, and integrate systems across production, recycling, training and logistics. Rural Revive has since moved well beyond concept into visible implementation.
The initiative has also collected more than 175,000 bottles from the local environment through its recycling activities, supporting sustained livelihoods in waste management, horticulture, logistics and training pathways.
