Windhoek: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called for a nationally coordinated framework for corporate social investment (CSI) to improve accountability, transparency, and alignment with Namibia's development priorities. In her address at the Namibia Corporate Social Investment Mukopano's inaugural gathering in Windhoek, she emphasized the need for long-term partnerships that build community capacity and self-reliance beyond mere donations and sponsorships.
According to Namibia Press Agency, President Nandi-Ndaitwah highlighted the historical contributions of Namibia's corporate sector, particularly mining companies, to community development through the provision of essential services like housing, schools, and health facilities in towns such as Oranjemund, Arandis, Rosh Pinah, and Tsumeb. She urged that corporate social investment should represent a genuine commitment to societal improvement rather than a public-relations exercise, emphasizing its true measure through tangible community impacts like improved classrooms, clinics, and youth training.
She also called on the private sector to increase its involvement in rural communities and expand internship and apprenticeship opportunities for students and graduates in response to the pressing issue of youth unemployment. Additionally, she advocated for equipment and startup support schemes for graduates, especially those from vocational training centers, to foster business establishment and sustainable livelihoods.
Addressing the importance of agriculture, President Nandi-Ndaitwah identified it as a top priority and a crucial driver of food security, urging collective efforts to overcome challenges in the sector. She noted the government's plans to construct sports fields in all 121 constituencies and repurpose eight industrial parks into entrepreneurial centers by 2027, underscoring the need for stronger private sector partnerships to realize these initiatives.
The Mukopano initiative, led by MTC Namibia, was praised as a vital platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas and develop practical solutions to Namibia's socio-economic challenges. She called for clear mechanisms to ensure that commitments at the event translate into practical projects with measurable impacts and sustainable partnerships.
In her closing remarks, President Nandi-Ndaitwah urged participants to ensure that the initiative results in tangible outcomes, transforming it into a platform for collective action that communities can 'see, feel, and believe in.' The NCSI Mukopano, launched in July, aims to unite corporations, NGOs, government agencies, and funders in maximizing the impact of social investment across Namibia.