Staff Writer
The Swakop Uranium Foundation has invested approximately N$500 000 to upgrade the Epako Old Age Home and the Light of the Children Kindergarten in Gobabis to boost community welfare in the Omaheke region.
The official handover took place during a ceremony on 3 August 2026, attended by the governor of the Omaheke region, Pijoo Nganate, along with regional councillors, Swakop Uranium vice president John Moody, and Foundation chairperson Percy McCallum.
The investment, which is part of the Foundation’s broader commitment to sustainable development, has been channeled into critical infrastructure and equipment improvements aimed at enhancing the dignity and quality of life for the elderly and creating a nurturing environment for young learners.
At the Epako Old Age Home, the funds facilitated the purchase of a new television, kitchen equipment, pharmacy shelving, a laundry machine, and lounge furniture, while the entire facility received a fresh coat of paint inside and out, alongside comprehensive fumigation to address pest issues, effectively transforming the home into a safer and more welcoming space.
Similarly, the Light of the Children Kindergarten benefited from repainting and essential repairs to windows and doors, ensuring that the school remains a conducive space for early childhood development during the children’s formative years.
Speaking at the event, McCallum emphasized that responsible mining is measured not only by economic output but by the lasting social impact left in people’s lives, and that the Foundation is dedicated to extending the benefits of mining beyond its operations into tangible community opportunities.
Nganate welcomed the contribution, describing it as a meaningful investment in the region’s most vulnerable citizens and noting that the upgrades would enhance the wellbeing of the elderly while creating better learning prospects for children in the Gobabis community.
The ceremony underscored the power of collaboration between government, business, and communities, demonstrating that shared responsibility can yield lasting, resilient outcomes for society.
As the corporate social investment arm of Swakop Uranium, the Foundation reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to initiatives that advance education, health, social welfare, and community development across Namibia, with the guiding principle that the true value of mining should be reflected in the wellbeing of the people it serves.
