Buy-a-brick enters round twoAfter the initial success of its partnership with the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia, the Standard Bank hopes to duplicate it for its next targeted community. Std Bank takes SDFN campaign to Otjomuise Standard Bank Namibia last week launched the second annual instalment of its flagship corporate social investment campaign, the ‘buy-a-brick’ initiative, in Windhoek’s Otjomuise suburb.The campaign sees the lender soliciting corporate Namibia and private citizens for contributions towards the recognised housing saving scheme network, the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia (SDFN).
The joint campaign earlier this year announced more than N$1.4 million raised in its first phase, launched in October last year, and allocated towards construction of 40 houses at Rehoboth.
Friday’s ceremony was officiated by deputy minister of urban and rural development Sylvia Makgone, who urged the private sector to get behind the project and initiate others to help deal with the country’s housing shortage.
“We should all be involved in making a positive difference in providing decent shelter to disadvantaged Namibians. It is through community projects like these that bring some form of relief to the daily pressures facing our rural urban and poor,” she said.
Namibia’s over 100 000 housing backlog is growing at an annual rate of about 3 700, with most of this backlog said to be concentrated in the low-income sector.
“My message today therefore is brief and to the core, and is a call on every Namibian and especially the corporate sector in Namibia to contribute towards this initiative,” Makgone said.
“So that together we can not only eliminate the need for housing among this income group, but also facilitate a future Namibia where there will be not a single shack.”
Windhoek Mayor Muesee Kazapua commended the organisations involved for helping to alleviate the municipality’s plight, with urbanisation recognised for accelerating population growth in Windhoek.
“I am also encouraged that Standard Bank has chosen Otjomuise for the launch of this initiative, a suburb where many people lack decent shelter and housing.”
STAFF REPORTER
