Martin Endjala
The City of Windhoek (CoW) in collaboration with Vivo Energy Namibia, on Wednesday donated 572 books and two computers worth N$122,000 to the Nathaniel Maxuilili Library and Greenwell Matongo Library.
According to CoW Mayor Queen Kamati, the handover of library books and two computers to the two community libraries in the city’s informal settlements marks a milestone in their ongoing commitment to promote literacy and digital inclusion.
“This donation aims to enrich the knowledge of our learners in subjects such as English, Science, Entrepreneurship, and Commerce, by further enhancing access to educational resources in our community, ” Kamati emphasised.
In 2017, the City Council took a decisive step to establish a Mayoral Relief Fund, a vehicle through which social welfare causes, emergencies, and vulnerable communities within the boundaries of the City of Windhoek, could be supported.
Subsequently, the Fund successfully transitioned into a fully-fledged legal entity, operating under the official name “Windhoek Residents Mayoral Trust”, after having been registered with the Master of High Court.
Concurrently with the registration of the Trust, a Board of Trustees was appointed to run the daily cooperate affairs of the Trust.
The registration of the Trust provided a structured and legal framework for governance and accountability.
Since its inception, the Trust has been supporting initiatives that uplift and empower residents across the city, particularly those in need.
Kamati said in 2023 the two parties partnered in the Vivo Energy Windhoek Marathon and raised N$160 000.
It was against this background that both CoW and Vivo Energy Namibia took a deliberate decision that funds raised from the marathon should be donated to the Windhoek Residents Mayoral Trust and be used to support community projects.
The remaining funds of the Marathon will be channelled to other community projects and social welfare causes that fall within the provisions of the Trust, as may be identified.
Kamati stated that the handover of library books and computers is a direct result of collaboration and the generosity of all who participated in the marathon.
These resources she said, symbolise more than just tangible objects, as they are also tools of empowerment and pathways to knowledge and opportunities.
Adding that they will enable individuals in the community to access information, enhance their skills, and broaden their horizons.
The mayor reiterated that by working hand in hand with all stakeholders, they can leverage their collective expertise, resources, and networks to ensure that every individual in the community has access to quality education and the tools they need to succeed.
“This is our common responsibility, as we strive to nurture the power of minds refined, and the ethos of quality citizens,” she said.
