Windhoek: The Kavango West Regional Council signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Metzger Koranyara Trading CC to formalize a strategic partnership aimed at driving development in the region.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the agreement was signed in the council's boardroom and encompasses agricultural production, agro-processing, trainee internships, tourism, and broader economic development. Metzger Koranyara Trading operates at Musese Green Scheme and Kanyikama. Egidius Nambara, the council's director of development planning, monitoring, and evaluation, noted that the MoU formalizes an already existing collaborative relationship.
Nambara explained that the partnership aims to guide cooperation in "areas of mutual interest, such as corporate social responsibility." He emphasized the importance of formalizing the relationship, stating, "Sometimes we just run and they assist us, but it's always best that we have it formalized." The council has already endorsed the agreement, as Nambara confirmed.
Chief Regional Officer, Matheus Singambwe, highlighted that the formal agreement will enhance accountability between the parties involved. "When we have a formalized memorandum of understanding, it creates trust, it creates certainty that every side of the party, we are aware what is expected from us, the dos and the don'ts," Singambwe stated. He also stressed the importance of private partnerships in national development, remarking that the government cannot act alone.
Singambwe discussed the potential of agricultural production as both a livelihood and an economic tool. He posed a question about the future of Winnie maize, "We have been consuming Winnie maize in our households but how do we make this Winnie maize not only a regional product, not only a national product, but an international brand?" He advocated for local products to be supplied to institutions like schools, hospitals, prisons, and hostels and urged the company to adopt environmentally friendly practices, pay fair wages, and remain accessible to communal and subsistence farmers.
Winni Metzger, owner of Metzger Koranyara Trading, expressed support for the agreement, emphasizing the need for a deeper and more formalized public-private partnership. "Let us sign it and continue working together," Metzger concluded.