Niël Terblanché
In an effort to promote food sustainability, Headspring Investments, a subsidiary of Rosatom, has supported schools in Leonardville, by establishing garden projects recently.
These gardens aim to provide students with direct access to fresh, homegrown fruits and vegetables, thereby improving their nutritional intake.
At the official handover ceremony, Deputy Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Evelyn !Nawases-Taeyele, spoke about the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing educational challenges.
“The learners here will have access to homegrown fruits and vegetables directly from their own garden, meaning you will enjoy fresh meals from your garden. This is particularly important in Omaheke, where malnutrition remains a critical challenge and a concern for our government,” she said.
This initiative is particularly important for the Omaheke region, where malnutrition is rife.
!Nawases-Taeyele said that by enabling students to cultivate and consume produce from their own gardens, the project not only enhances their diets but also imparts essential agricultural skills.
Headspring Investments, operating under the Uranium One group, is currently developing a uranium mining project in Namibia, with operations slated to commence in 2029.
Despite being in the preparatory stages, the company has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility within the local communities.
In 2022, Headspring Investments launched a charitable project to provide balanced meals for children at the Noasanabis Primary School in Leonardville.
The company also invested over N$400 000 annually in organising food supplies for children attending the school.
The mining company constructed a modern kitchen equipped with amenities to ensure safe and sanitary food preparation for the learners.
This facility, benefiting more than 600 children, was completed at a cost exceeding N$3 million which stressed the company’s dedication to the health and well-being of the community’s youth.
In 2023, Headspring Investments introduced fully funded bursaries for Namibian students to pursue mining-related degrees in Russia.
The bursaries cover fields such as Geology, Geophysics, Hydrology, and Mining Engineering. Upon graduation, these students are guaranteed employment at the proposed uranium mines in Namibia, ensuring both career development and contributions to the nation’s energy sector.
In partnership with the Namibian Institute of Mining and Technology (NIMT), Headspring Investments also initiated a six-month technical training programme in September 2024.
This programme aims to equip 20 young individuals from Leonardville with skills pertinent to the mining and related industries.
The company allocated N$700 000 to cover tuition, accommodation, and living expenses, reflecting its investment in the region’s future workforce.
Through these socially responsible initiatives, Headspring Investments has demonstrated a holistic approach to community development, intertwining educational support, nutritional programmes, and skill development.
!Nawases-Taeyele said that such efforts not only address immediate needs but also lay the groundwork for sustainable growth and prosperity in the Omaheke region.
