N$300k classroom pledge ditched as Namport opts to build directly

Namport has cancelled a N$300 000 sponsorship agreement with Twapandula Primary School and will instead construct classrooms directly, after a site inspection led the port authority to revise its initial plan.

Senior teacher Johaness Ngonga told Namibian Sun the school received the sponsorship pledge at Namport's gala dinner in August 2025.

However, he said when Namport officials visited to assess the project's viability, they concluded the pledged funds were insufficient for the task and opted for direct construction.

“After their inspection, Namport informed us that they would build three classrooms and a storeroom, with construction [having commenced] on 11 June and a projected completion date in September this year,” he said.

This classroom initiative was prompted by a video circulating on social media that portrayed learners in a classroom constructed from poles and zinc, which were notably affected by rainwater.

The school, located in the Oshivelo Circuit of the Oshikoto region, was founded in 2015 and began as a kindergarten.

It has since expanded to accommodate grades 0 to 7, serving 285 learners and nine staff members.

Ngonga said substandard learning environments hamper learners, noting some had been taught in pole-and-zinc classrooms for years.

“Currently, only learners in grades 0 to 4 are taught in well-constructed classrooms, while those in grades 5 to 7 remain in structures composed of poles and zinc," Ngonga said.

"We find poles to be preferable for ventilation, as pure zinc can become excessively hot, making it challenging for learners to focus,” he explained.

Heartbreak amid more needs

He recalled a significant rainstorm in January 2023 when rainwater penetrated the roofs.

“I recorded those videos and shared them with three organisations, seeking assistance. It was heartbreaking as a teacher to see my learners sitting in mud, yet they came to class every day,” he remarked.

Ngonga said although they had approached multiple organisations without response, Namport saw the video and visited the school of their own accord a week later.

“Following their visit in mid-2024, they requested a quotation, promising to construct a block of three classrooms and a storeroom. We provided a quotation exceeding N$500 000, but they generously offered us N$300 000 and ultimately decided to build the classrooms themselves. We are truly grateful,” he said.

While appreciative of the support, Ngonga underscored that the school continues to have unmet needs, including a science laboratory, a library, a computer lab, a staff room, and a larger photocopier.

“Currently, the school has only one laptop, making it difficult for teachers to share it effectively,” he said.

Namport ups social investments

During the gala dinner in August 2025, Namport CEO Andrew Kanime highlighted that the organisation’s corporate social investment programmes align with both national and international strategic goals.

“Significant resources have been invested in our communities to enhance the quality of education and healthcare by providing infrastructure, facilities and resources in public schools and health centres across Namibia,” Kanime said.

He noted that funding has also been directed towards poverty alleviation programmes and initiatives designed to promote self-sustainability within communities.

To date, the company's fund has allocated more than N$78 million across all 14 regions, with over N$58.2 million disbursed thus far.

For the 2025/2026 financial year, Namport has allocated N$19 million towards corporate social investment, a significant increase compared to the average annual allocation of approximately N$3 million in previous years.