Corporate social responsibility (CSR)

Corporate social responsibility (CSR)

Namport recognises the importance of maintaining strong connections and interactions with its customers and communities. The organisation actively engages with stakeholders and allocates resources through the Namport Social Investment Fund (NSIF) to support all fourteen regions of Namibia.

Namport's Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals and Contributions to Social Development

Namport remains dedicated to aligning with global strategic imperatives, specifically the SDGs. These goals provide a comprehensive long-term roadmap for poverty alleviation, environmental protection, and inclusive prosperity by 2030. Aligned with its core values of commitment, connectivity, and compassion, Namport places special emphasis on five SDGs: Zero Hunger, Quality Education, Good Health and Well-being, and Partnership for Goals. In 2023, Namport actively demonstrated its commitment to social development by making significant contributions to various social programs aimed at improving the well-being and advancement of communities across Namibia. A donation of N$554,986 was made to support these initiatives.

Namport Social Investment Fund (NSIF)

Established in 2006, the NSIF has made substantial CSR investments exceeding N$50 million. The fund is focused on enhancing the quality of life within Namibian communities. By implementing projects and initiatives that contribute to socio-economic development, upliftment, and overall well-being, the NSIF has benefited numerous individuals and communities across the country. The NSIF operates under the guidance of a Board of Trustees of experienced individuals who provide valuable insights and expertise to ensure effective governance and successful implementation of social investment initiatives. These trustees play a crucial role in guiding the operations and decision-making processes of the NSIF, ensuring that social investment initiatives are effectively implemented for the benefit of Namibian communities.

Good health and well-being

The fund invests in the development of health infrastructure and health services in order to protect the health, well-being and welfare needs of Namibian citizens. During the reporting period, the NSIF made several contributions to promote health and well-being in various communities.

Engela ELCIN Private School received a donation of N$150,000 from the NSIF for the construction of ablution facilities and the renovation of three classrooms. The new ablution facilities, equipped with modern flushing facilities and a septic tank, replaced the previous bucket system, ensuring improved hygiene for male and female users.

Namport employees from the Port of Walvis Bay collected 65 pairs of school shoes valued at N$9,990. This initiative was recommended by a Namport staff member who worked at the Omhanda Combined School in a rural area of the Ohangwena Region. The donated shoes, along with socks and a cash donation, contributed to ensuring that children have comfortable footwear. This project reflects Namport’s values of being connected, caring, collaborative, creative, and committed.

The NSIF donated life jackets valued at N$66,000 to the Okatjali Constituency in the Oshana region and the Ongenga Constituency in the Ohangwena region. These regions were affected by floods, which resulted in communities having to cross deep waters to access basic services. The life jackets provide safety and support in navigating these challenging circumstances, ensuring the well-being of individuals in flood-affected areas.

The NSIF provided financial assistance of N$300,000 to the Walvis Bay Kids Haven to support its monthly expenses and daily running costs. In addition, a contribution of N$25,000 was made to the OONTE OVC Organisation to host their annual Christmas event, benefiting more than 700 orphans and vulnerable children with food parcels.

Quality Education

The NSIF places a high priority on improving the quality of education, with a specific focus on enhancing school infrastructure and sanitation facilities. During the reporting period, the NSIF allocated N$1,636,586 towards education.

Auuns Primary School in the Otjozondjupa region received a newly constructed classroom valued at N$190,000. This classroom for Grade 7 learners provides a conducive environment for teaching and learning.

The Ondangwa Commercial College in the Oshana region received electrical toolkits valued at N$50,000. The college, registered with the Namibia Training Authority, empowers students with vocational skills for employment or entrepreneurial opportunities. This initiative is part of a MoU between Namport and the Namibia Training Authority to support the delivery of quality vocational education and training.

The NSIF donated 1,103 brand-new mattresses to the Welwitschia Secondary School Hostel in the Erongo region and the IK Tjimuhiva Combined School in the Omusati region, valued at N$353,000. These mattresses ensure that learners have a restful night’s sleep, enabling them to fully engage in their studies.

The fund further contributed N$300,000 towards the purchase of copiers for several schools, including Ampole Primary School, Joseph Mbangula Primary School, PI Groenewaldt Secondary School, Sacona Senior Secondary School, and Omukwiyugwemanya Secondary School. This investment supports the schools’ administrative and educational needs, facilitating a more efficient learning environment.

Creating a conducive study environment is a fundamental aspect of a successful education system. Recognising this, the fund donated 222 desks and 150 chairs valued at N$150,000 to three schools in the Kavango East Region. Sarasungo Combined School, Mbambangandu Junior Primary, and Aloys Hashipara Junior Primary received chairs and desks tailored to their specific requirements. The NSIF donated 150 chairs and 100 desks, valued at N$86,500, to the Oshikunde Combined School in the Ohangwena region. Vaalgras Primary School in the Karas region received desktops and software worth N$79,520. Flamingo Secondary School in the Erongo region also received N$50,000 towards their building fund.

The Usakos Multi-Purpose Youth Center in the Erongo region received ICT equipment from the NSIF, including a laptop, projector, and six desktops valued at N$50,000. This equipment enhances the centre’s capacity to empower youth with basic computer skills and conduct training courses, contributing to the upskilling of unemployed youth in the country. Graduates from this programme have gained formal employment or started their own ICT-related businesses.

Partnership for Goals

Namport employees participated in the “Bring a Can of Food to Work” initiative to combat hunger in Namibia, in celebration of World Food Day. Through their efforts, 520 cans of non-perishable food items were collected, demonstrating Namport’s commitment to being a caring, connected and collaborative organisation. Additionally, Namport donated N$50,000 to further support hunger alleviation initiatives in the country.

The Namibia Nature Foundation received financial assistance of N$50,000 to host World Oceans Day, emphasising the importance of environmental conservation and raising awareness about the preservation of our oceans.

Through these partnerships and initiatives, Namport actively contributes to SDGs, promoting collaboration and collective action towards a better future.

NSIF granted scholarships to eight deserving Namibian students

These scholarships, with a total value of N$1.5 million, were awarded to support the students’ practical training required to complete their Double Degree Marine Engineering Programme at the University of Science and Technology in Namibia. The practical training took place in Finland at the Satakunta University of Applied Sciences.

The programme’s broader aim is to empower Namibian youth by providing training in crucial areas such as maritime navigation, maritime law, marine biology, harbour management, naval design and architecture.

Namport celebrates World Maritime Day 2022

Namport hosted its first ever Maritime Week in September 2022 aligned to World Maritime Day, with close to 800 pupils in attendance. The significance of this celebration is that it highlights the dedicated seafarers in the maritime industry, and the great sacrifices they make to navigate rough seas and conveying millions of tonnes of goods each year.

During the week, the public was invited to tour the Ministry of Fisheries vessel, Namibian Navy vessel and Namport tugboats. Scheduled port tours were hosted to display the port facilities to visitors and share infrastructure developments, commodity handling operations and general port-related information. Invited maritime stakeholders exhibited their respective companies and displayed career options and bursary schemes to inform and educate pupils of the opportunities offered by the maritime industry and related careers.

The media coverage and mileage received was impressive, and schools from various regions requested to participate. It was concluded that going forward, the event will be a permanent feature on Namport’s annual calendar, with invitations extended to schools nationwide.