JDF delivers new school in Nyae Nyae conservancy

Augetto GraigWINDHOEKOtjozondjupa region governor John Julius //Khamuseb officially opened the second school built by the Ju/’hoansi Development Fund (JDF) at N#ama in the south-eastern Nyae Nyae Conservancy on 13 November. Addressing about 400 parents, pupils, teachers and officials, the governor praised the partnership between the JDF and the education and culture ministry.JDF enlisted Pine Pienaar of Tsumkwe and his construction company for the project through a donation from Ninety One, a global asset manager with more than N$3 trillion in assets.Ninety One’s managing director for Africa, Eino Emvula, told the gathering that the N#ama school project “is an exceptional initiative aimed at improving educational facilities for the Ju/’hoansi community, while promoting traditional knowledge alongside academic learning.”He added: “For us, supporting this project was never just about financing a building. It was about supporting a community determined to shape its own future.”The N#ama school, like the first one built at Den/ui, features two well-equipped classrooms, boys’ and girls’ hostels with showers and separate toilets, two teachers’ apartments with ablution facilities, and a kitchen with storerooms.JDF chairperson Dr Allen Zimbler formally handed both schools over to the ministry. “In the case of marginalised communities, where the need for education in geographically dispersed villages makes conventional schools unsuitable, the needs of those communities call for creative and out-of-the-box thinking,” he said.More schools Zimbler also thanked the ministry for its confidence in a small charitable organisation and praised the JDF’s part-time team, including project director Saskia den Adel-Sheehama, education mentor and head of department Festus Soroab, and accounts manager Christa Potgieter.Den Adel-Sheehama noted that the work isn’t stopping. “The challenge continues, as the JDF is now seeking funds to build the next of the five mother-tongue and entry-level schools,” Den Adel-Sheehama said.Education director for the Otjozondjupa region, Gerhard Ndafenongo, who attended the handover, said JDF’s impact was significant and visible “for all to see”.Speaking on behalf of the traditional authority, Francine Ghauz conveyed Chief Bobo Tsamkxao’s thanks to JDF for building the school in such a remote area. augetto@nmh-hub.com.na

JDF delivers new school in Nyae Nyae conservancy

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-26

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JDF delivers new school in Nyae Nyae conservancy

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-26

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