The Rössing Foundation
The Rössing Foundation was established in 1978 by Rössing Uranium Limited through a Deed of Trust to implement and facilitate its corporate social responsibility activities within the communities of Namibia.
It undertakes a number of activities across a broad spectrum of community development areas within the Erongo Region and, to a lesser extent, in the Khomas, Omaheke and Oshana Regions. This includes local authority support to the town of Arandis, as well as support in the fields of education, health, poverty alleviation, innovation, environment, and enterprise development.
Since 1978, the Foundation has spent more than N$120 million on various programmes imparting practical skills to Namibians - skills that can create better economic opportunities, particularly in rural communities.
During this period, the Foundation has moved away from teaching basic skills such as reading, plumbing, seamanship, and needlework, to focus today on higher educational requirements such as the teaching of Mathematics, Science, English and Information and Communication Technology skills.
Our success has drawn international attention. The Foundation was once again globally hand-picked as a best practice Community Sustainable Development organisation with a visit from the Lembaga Pengembangan Masyarakat Amungme dan Kamoro (LPMAK) Foundation from Papau, Indonesia. Papau is the largest province of Indonesia, comprising of the most western half of the island of New Guinea. The delegation was comprised of LPMAK Foundation staff and community leaders. The purpose of the visit was to understand how the Foundation operates and to learn from programmes currently running, with the aim of identifying programmes that could be replicated in Indonesia. The visit paved the way for a continuous sharing of experiences between the two foundations.
In 2010, a total amount of N$23,168,286 was spent on the Rössing Foundation's activities, focusing on education, enterprise development and the Arandis Sustainable Development Project. Goals were set to strengthen the Human Resources and Financial Reporting System of the Foundation.
Rudy Visser from a local company specialising in nature-based leadership development programmes, with a group of Arandis Grade 12 learners who participated in a weekend excursion, funded by the Foundation. They were accompanied by Michael Mojo (far right), one of the Master Maths teachers at the Mathematics Centre in Arandis.
Education programme
An amount of N$11.7 million (50 per cent of the budget) was utilised for education purposes. The objective of the Foundation's educational activities is to allow all Grade 12 learners to enter higher education institutions.
Language, Mathematics and Science Centres
The combined impact that the Language Centres, Mathematics Centres and Science Centres, established during the past years, have had on learners cannot be underestimated. Targets set for the utilisation of the centres by learners were once again surpassed in 2010 – an average of 87 per cent capacity utilisation was obtained for the Language Centres, 107 per cent for the Mathematics Centres and 83 per cent for the Science Centres.
The targeted pass rate of 64 per cent in the English language for all registered/enrolled learners was also surpassed – 67 per cent per Language Centre was obtained. A 64 per cent pass rate (A-C) for all registered or enrolled learners in both the Mathematics Centres and the Science Centres was achieved, with 65 and 63 per cent respectively. In addition, we set a target that at least 60 per cent of parents of the children attending afternoon classes should support their children's participation. At the end of 2010, 75 per cent of the parents visited the Language Centres, while 80 per cent visited the Mathematics and Science Centres. The prize giving events were also well attended by parents.
The Science Centres also contributed towards an increase of interest in science-related topics among Arandis learners, as demonstrated at the annual Arandis Science and Technology Fair which took place for the third consecutive year. Thirty of the projects presented at the fair qualified for the Erongo Regional Science and Technology Fair, where the learners won 4 gold, 16 silver and 10 bronze medals. Two gold medallists, Selma Silvanus and Adriana Mutimili, were nominated for the Global Science Conference to be held in New York in December 2010.
Outreach programmes
In the Omaheke Region, all seven school principals and all seven heads of departments or senior teachers received training in overall school management, subject management, classroom management and national standards by November 2010. After a series of training sessions in overall school management, the seven project schools were expected to develop a School Development Plan (SDP) and a Personal Assessment Plan of Action for Academic Improvement (PAAI) by the end of 2010. By the end of 2010, all of the seven project schools had successfully implemented the SDP and PAAI at their schools. The Mathematics, Science and Lower Primary teachers were trained in effective subject management, teaching and learning skills and how to maintain a classroom environment conducive to learning. The target of 10 per cent improvements in all project schools was surpassed, with an 11 per cent actual improvement recorded at the end of 2010. In the Erongo Region, baseline studies were successfully carried out at ten partner schools. Training workshops on school management were conducted based on a recommendation from the baseline studies, and ten headmasters received training in performance management skills. This resulted in the development of vision and mission statements which were aligned with the values for each of the schools by the respective headmasters.
Arandis Sustainable Development project
A total amount of N$2.6 million, representing 11 per cent of the total budget, was utilised for the Arandis Sustainable Development Project (ASDP). The aim of this programme is to support the town of Arandis in becoming a town of choice for current and future inhabitants and investors through smart partnerships. This will support the goal of self-sustainability of Arandis by 2016. Five areas were focused on for the year under review.
Ellie Nowases, a local entrepreneur from Arandis, set up a flower and vegetable garden using a hydroponic system, with support from the Rössing Foundation.
Agriculture development
The Foundation continued to promote desert agriculture methods in the town of Arandis. Community members were trained to grow vegetables using hydroponic systems. The suitability of the hydroponic system to conditions in Arandis prompted a local female entrepreneur, Ellie Nowases, to set up a flower and vegetable gardening project. She was among the small and medium entrepreneurs who participated in the 2010 Small and Medium Enterprise Exhibition held in Windhoek. With the on-site agricultural extension service and mentoring she received from the Foundation, Nowases has now turned the gardening project into Ellie's Flower and Vegetable Garden.
Capacity building support to Arandis Town Council
A target was set to train seven Arandis Town Council (ATC) members in leadership development and performance management systems. Eight staff members received leadership development training and to date, 12 ATC staff members have signed performance agreements. The revenue collection for the town of Arandis increased from 38 per cent in 2005 to 72 per cent in 2010 – a major achievement for the ATC and the Foundation.
Community education
A total of 404 community members received training in the areas of Finance Management and Life Skills. The training was conducted by the Free To Grow Peer Educators. Several youths and community members received training in bottle crafting, while the cooperation between the Foundation and the Community Youth Skills Development Foundation (COSDEF) continues. During 2010, 19 women from Arandis attended training in leatherwork, conducted by COSDEF. A total of 25 out-of-school young adults were supported by the Rössing Foundation in this programme, which offers training in engineering, diesel mechanics and hospitality. As a result of their participation in this programme, some of the participants are furthering their careers at the Namibian Institute of Mining and Technology and the Windhoek Vocational Training Centre.
Recreation and culture
A turn-around strategy was developed for recreation and culture during the year. This strategy will be implemented in 2011 by the ATC.
Support to Arandis local economic development
The construction of a long-awaited service station, which is a joint venture between the Arandis Town Council, the Foundation and BP, commenced in 2010. It is envisaged that the service station will play a major role in boosting future development projects and mining activities in the area. The project is expected to be completed in February 2011. The first construction phase of the Arandis Trade Centre was also inaugurated in 2010. The centre is part of the Arandis Constituency Development Committee initiatives, the aim being to afford local entrepreneurs the opportunity and space to exhibit and sell their products in order to generate an income.
Enterprise development programme
An amount of N$3 million (13 per cent of the total budget) was utilised for the Enterprise Development programme. A target was set to strengthen the capacity of SME operators: 54 operators from the Erongo Development Foundation, 15 from Arandis, 30 from the Community Based Natural Resource Management programme and 10 small-scale miners. The objective of this programme is to improve the quality of life at the selected communities in the Erongo Region, as well as other regions in the northern and central parts of the country.
A group of entrepreneurs in front of the Arandis Trade Centre, part of the Arandis Constituency Development Committee initiatives to provide space for local entrepreneurs to exhibit and sell their products in order to generate an income.
Erongo Micro Credit initiative
Many micro businesses are unable to secure access to finance, such as loans from commercial banks and other financial institutions. The Erongo Micro Credit, a partnership between the Rössing Foundation, Erongo Development Foundation and Bank Windhoek, is a pro-poor financial service that targets micro business operators in the Erongo Region, particularly women. At the end of 2010, the Erongo Micro Credit scheme had provided loans to 38 micro businesses. The repayment rate on these loans is currently 90 per cent. Business development was assessed by way of field visits to the different businesses. It was found that a number of these businesses are not only growing, but already provide employment, whilst others provide financial support to families.
Encouraged by these positive achievements, the three partners are now working on modalities for accommodating more beneficiaries. An assessment will be conducted in 2011 to determine the impact and multiplier effect of the programme.
Topnaar agriculture project
The objective of this project was for 30 Topnaar community members to receive training in agriculture. This target was exceeded — a total of 54 community members was trained during 2010.
Community Based Natural Resource Management
A target was set to implement a capacity building programme for conservancies in the Erongo and north central regions. The Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) programme will lead to improved rural livelihoods through an increased flow of benefits and income to communities. Furthermore, the programme seeks to increase awareness in local communities of the benefits of sustainable local conservation, and to promote equity, participation, and transparency within conservancy operations. In the north central regions, a six day production course was held with both the Otjimboyo and Ohungu craft groups. Thirteen craft producers attended the training, which focused on product development: producing new products and improving the quality of some of the existing products. The 13 trained craft producers acquired the following business skills: customer care knowledge, craft production skills, value addition in terms of product quality improvement and drawing and design skills. Craft business plans were approved and the implementation of proper basic equipment and infrastructure has taken place.
The main impacts of the CBNRM programme during 2010 are as follows:
- Activities undertaken have directly and indirectly contributed to conservancy structures being better equipped with the necessary skills to ensure the efficient and accountable management of all resources placed under their control, while being able to put mechanisms in place which ensure that benefits reach conservancy members in an equitable manner.
- Individual as well as group skills have been developed, while management committees have been able to grow their capacity to respond to new opportunities and challenges.
- Conservancies are expected to engage with traditional authorities, line ministries, regional government officials, land boards and private sector partners on a regular basis. Good engagement and interaction skills are thus needed. Skills development focused on conflict resolution, negotiation, advocacy skills, improved strategic planning and development skills.
- This new set of skills resulted in improved Government and non-governmental relations, which had a positive effect on working relations between the conservancy members and their partners.
- With improved participation in conservancy activities, as well as the realisation that more tangible benefits are reaching them, local communities have developed an increased appreciation for and awareness of the environment they live in. As a result, environmental management has improved.
Arandis youth skills development
Unemployment is one of the main challenges facing Namibia's young people. The out-of-school youngsters in the town of Arandis are not exempted from this problem. A lack of work skills and work experience has been highlighted as a major contributing factor to this problem. It is against this background that the Foundation designed a Youth Skills Development programme.
This programme, in place since January 2008, is built around mutual respect and active engagement with the community of Arandis, which enables us to understand what is important to the inhabitants of this town. Through this programme the Foundation strives to make a difference to the community of Arandis in a sustainable way without creating dependency. Beneficiaries receive financial support to enable them to study at various vocational training institutions. Upon completion of the programme, further assistance is provided with the preparation of a Curriculum Vitae and the practicing of interview skills. The Foundation works closely with reputable training institutions, such as the Katutura Youth and Enterprise Centre (KAYEC), the Community Skills Development Centre (COSDEC), the Namibia Maritime and Fishery Institute (NAMFI), The Haven, the Namibian Institute for Mining Technology (NIMT) and the Arandis Town Council.
To date, the Youth Skills Development Programme has empowered over 80 out-of-school youngsters with the necessary skills, equipping them to become competent and semi-skilled artisans. Areas of training and capacity building range from plumbing, welding, carpentry and electrical installation, to practical engineering and office administration. A total of 27 youths who participated in this programme have already been absorbed into the labour market, while six were motivated to complete their school careers. In addition, eight are currently enrolled at NIMT or the Windhoek Vocational Training Centre to complete or further their education, while others have become self-employed.