Staff rewarded with their own home

Staff rewarded with their own home Long service and loyalty pays off Long-serving staff from the Rock Lodge just outside Okahandja were rewarded as 21 keys to their new homes, registered in their names, were handed over. Friday 2 December marked a historic occasion in Namibia. That day, the Rock Village, a residential complex in Okahandja, was officially opened by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Professor Peter Katjavivi.

What makes it so special is not the fact that this neat and beautiful development has been completed but, that the complex was developed for the benefit of long-serving staff members of the Rock Lodge, the true heroes.

The Rock Lodge is a conference and accommodation facility just outside Okahandja, a dream God gave to serve the Namibian nation.

Dawie and Chrisna Fourie are the carriers of this dream and over the past ten years, have sharpened the tip of the spear into leadership development which has been embodied by the African Leadership Institute (“ALI”).

The core of ALI is to inspire and equip Africans to lead transformation which is in line with the legacy President Hage Geingob has committed himself to - peace and stability is not enough, we have to become a land of prosperity. ALI is thus committed to training leaders to change their mindsets regarding productivity and the power to transform.

The impact of training thousands of government, church, education and business leaders has been felt all over Namibia. This transformation and influence would not have been possible without the committed and focused effort of the Rock Lodge staff. They serve this nation and the dream of prosperity in an amazing way. This begged the question, how can they truly be rewarded for the integral part they play in transforming mindsets, what can give them a sense of achievement and belonging? The answer – a property of their own. Through smart financing and substantial additional grants this dream was made into a reality. All staff members with more than seven years of service were given the opportunity to receive a home registered in their own name.

The keys of 21 homes were handed to the proud new homeowners by the Speaker himself. He clearly understood the significance. Housing and residential/land ownership are social justice issues that burn to the core of the African continent.

“This is an example of true transformation being put into practice. In order to truly bring about prosperity we should be innovative in empowering those around us who serve the nation,” Dawie Fourie said.

“What beter way to lift human dignity than to help people to acquire and own their own home? This goes a long way into bridging the economic disparity of our citizens and to the alleviation of poverty.”

According to Katjavivi, he hoped “that other companies will follow the example of the Rock Lodge and African Leadership Institute.

“It is also my hope that a true community should be formed within the Rock Village and ownership should stretch further than the deed of the house. As residents we have the responsibility to further uplift our communities,” he said.



STAFF REPORTER