Buy-A-Brick initiative targets 1000 houses
The Buy-A-Brick Initiative spearheaded by Standard Bank Namibia and the Shack Dwellers Federation has set a target of delivering 1000 houses every year in different towns across the country.
These houses are meant for Namibians in the low-to-no income groups after co-partners in the private sector expressed interest in funding the programme.
Standard Bank Namibia chief executive Vetumbuavi Mungunda told guests at the launch of the fourth Buy-A Brick initiative in Windhoek on Thursday that plans are in place to scale up the initiative into a national project after mobile telecommunications operator MTC and diversified entity Bidvest indicated interest in taking the project further through joint efforts with other corporates.
Mungunda called on like-minded corporates in both the public and private sectors to come on board and help in mobilising funding and finding solutions to the housing crisis.
“Please join this initiative and let's make a difference by providing a home to those who may have lost hope,” Mungunda said.
He said plans are already in place to delineate the Buy-A-Brick initiative from Standard Bank to allow for more corporate participation.
“To this end, we are inviting our corporate sector and the public to join us in making the Buy-A-Brick Initiative…the focal point of efforts to finding lasting solutions for the over 500 000 Namibians that are unemployed or are under-employed.”
A new steering committee will soon be appointed to spearhead the task of mobilising funds and finding alternative building methods that would help in reducing the cost of building and the duration of construction.
Mungunda said the steering committee's Terms of Reference are expected to be finalised over the next six months.
“Since 2015, when we first launched the Buy-a-Brick Initiative, very few people would have predicted that this project would evolve into a big national project that it is today,” the Standard Bank Namibia chief executive said.
“Join us in this noble fight against homelessness and the mushrooming of shacks across our towns throughout Namibia.”
Thinus Smit, MTC acting managing director, said the Buy-A-Brick initiative is arguably one of the most innovative, sustainable and successful campaigns that have ever been launched in Namibia.
“MTC is proud to have been associated with this initiative this year with an investment of N$800 000.
“I wish to commend the dedication of the Shack Dwellers Federation network, a network of visionaries, dedicated men and women who have decided to fight the housing crisis in Namibia. I wish to assure them that they are not alone because MTC has now joined this fight through this initiative,” Smit said
Deputy minister of urban and rural development, Derek Klazen, who was the guest of honour at Thursday's launch, thanked Standard Bank Namibia and its partners for joining the struggle to alleviate the housing challenge and for addressing affordable land and shelter issues in the country.
He said government will continue to support families to acquire shelter.
Standard Bank Namibia chief executive Vetumbuavi Mungunda told guests at the launch of the fourth Buy-A Brick initiative in Windhoek on Thursday that plans are in place to scale up the initiative into a national project after mobile telecommunications operator MTC and diversified entity Bidvest indicated interest in taking the project further through joint efforts with other corporates.
Mungunda called on like-minded corporates in both the public and private sectors to come on board and help in mobilising funding and finding solutions to the housing crisis.
“Please join this initiative and let's make a difference by providing a home to those who may have lost hope,” Mungunda said.
He said plans are already in place to delineate the Buy-A-Brick initiative from Standard Bank to allow for more corporate participation.
“To this end, we are inviting our corporate sector and the public to join us in making the Buy-A-Brick Initiative…the focal point of efforts to finding lasting solutions for the over 500 000 Namibians that are unemployed or are under-employed.”
A new steering committee will soon be appointed to spearhead the task of mobilising funds and finding alternative building methods that would help in reducing the cost of building and the duration of construction.
Mungunda said the steering committee's Terms of Reference are expected to be finalised over the next six months.
“Since 2015, when we first launched the Buy-a-Brick Initiative, very few people would have predicted that this project would evolve into a big national project that it is today,” the Standard Bank Namibia chief executive said.
“Join us in this noble fight against homelessness and the mushrooming of shacks across our towns throughout Namibia.”
Thinus Smit, MTC acting managing director, said the Buy-A-Brick initiative is arguably one of the most innovative, sustainable and successful campaigns that have ever been launched in Namibia.
“MTC is proud to have been associated with this initiative this year with an investment of N$800 000.
“I wish to commend the dedication of the Shack Dwellers Federation network, a network of visionaries, dedicated men and women who have decided to fight the housing crisis in Namibia. I wish to assure them that they are not alone because MTC has now joined this fight through this initiative,” Smit said
Deputy minister of urban and rural development, Derek Klazen, who was the guest of honour at Thursday's launch, thanked Standard Bank Namibia and its partners for joining the struggle to alleviate the housing challenge and for addressing affordable land and shelter issues in the country.
He said government will continue to support families to acquire shelter.
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