No distance too far
11 000 km daily no deterrent
The Namibia Distribution Hub is key to the success of the African Child Development Trust education project, which has seen over 12 million educational booklets distributed across the country.
Logistics has been one of the key tenets of civilisation for millennia. Mankind would early on evolve to bridge distances when sharing messages, but a turning point in human interaction, trade and development came when physical objects - yes, including news media - could be shared far and wide in good time.
Whether to inform, enlighten, elaborate or merely entertain, printed media became a literary lifeline linking people to the world at large, and remains a critical mode of information dissemination, even in the modern age of digital disruption.
An outstanding example of this important social and economic function is Namibia Distribution Hub (NDH), Namibia Media Holdings’ (NMH) logistics team, which allows it to get printed media, parcels and other materials to the furthest corners of the country daily.
“Since we’ve expanded to managing all our logistical operations, we’ve invested a lot of time, thought and resources into getting the process to run as smooth, cost-effective and consistent as possible,” Etienne Kotze, the circulation manager for the NMH group, said.
This capacity would later become crucial to the success of the African Child Development Trust (ACDT) education project, which has seen over 12 million educational booklets distributed to early childhood development centres, schools and home-based learners in tandem with the syllabus schedule, as outlined by the education ministry.
“It is key for us to get the booklets to learners on schedule, as if they were following their grade-specific learning plan in class,” Sharnay Botha, the coordinator for the ACDT education project, said.
“This was not without challenges, as at times, we had to find new methods of bridging that last mile gap to reach farm schools and the like. However, thanks to the dedication of the NDH team, and with the assistance of farmers, lodge owners, district councillors and even dedicated teachers and principals who sacrificed their own time and resources to get the booklets to affected groups of learners, we were able to ensure all the targeted learners had access to materials, whether they were in Windhoek or the furthest reaches of far-off regions.”
Many miles, more smiles
The logistics were mindboggling. Every day, NDH’s team of drivers covered roughly 11 000 km to reach population centres across the country. Putting their lives on the line to ensure equitable access for children everywhere in the country.
“We as a team fully believe in this project and seeing the gratitude of the communities receiving these booklets definitely make us extremely proud to be able to contribute in some way,” Kotze said.
“There are tremendous challenges. However, due to the project’s impact, it’s one we’re very excited to be a part of,” he added.
For more information, email [email protected].
Whether to inform, enlighten, elaborate or merely entertain, printed media became a literary lifeline linking people to the world at large, and remains a critical mode of information dissemination, even in the modern age of digital disruption.
An outstanding example of this important social and economic function is Namibia Distribution Hub (NDH), Namibia Media Holdings’ (NMH) logistics team, which allows it to get printed media, parcels and other materials to the furthest corners of the country daily.
“Since we’ve expanded to managing all our logistical operations, we’ve invested a lot of time, thought and resources into getting the process to run as smooth, cost-effective and consistent as possible,” Etienne Kotze, the circulation manager for the NMH group, said.
This capacity would later become crucial to the success of the African Child Development Trust (ACDT) education project, which has seen over 12 million educational booklets distributed to early childhood development centres, schools and home-based learners in tandem with the syllabus schedule, as outlined by the education ministry.
“It is key for us to get the booklets to learners on schedule, as if they were following their grade-specific learning plan in class,” Sharnay Botha, the coordinator for the ACDT education project, said.
“This was not without challenges, as at times, we had to find new methods of bridging that last mile gap to reach farm schools and the like. However, thanks to the dedication of the NDH team, and with the assistance of farmers, lodge owners, district councillors and even dedicated teachers and principals who sacrificed their own time and resources to get the booklets to affected groups of learners, we were able to ensure all the targeted learners had access to materials, whether they were in Windhoek or the furthest reaches of far-off regions.”
Many miles, more smiles
The logistics were mindboggling. Every day, NDH’s team of drivers covered roughly 11 000 km to reach population centres across the country. Putting their lives on the line to ensure equitable access for children everywhere in the country.
“We as a team fully believe in this project and seeing the gratitude of the communities receiving these booklets definitely make us extremely proud to be able to contribute in some way,” Kotze said.
“There are tremendous challenges. However, due to the project’s impact, it’s one we’re very excited to be a part of,” he added.
For more information, email [email protected].
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