MTC hands over N$700 000 for new homes

A cheque of N$700 000 has been handed over by MTC to the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia (SDFN), through the Standard Bank Buy-a-Brick initiative, which will help build 20 new homes for families currently living in shacks. “We are well aware of the extreme housing shortage and the SDFN has been extremely positive and efficient in making a difference by building complete houses for their members at a cost of only N$40 000 (each),” MTC executive Tim Ekandjo said at the handover.Heinrich Amushila of the Namibia Housing Action Group (NHAG), the SDFN's longstanding NGO supporting partner, said the organisation was overwhelmed by MTC's contribution through the Buy-a-Brick initiative.He said the funding comes at a time when the SDFN has not been able to secure sufficient money to build its 1 000 envisioned homes this year, and had to reduce the target to 500.“This donation by MTC forms part of the Buy-a-Brick funds, totalling N$3.7 million, and will be used to construct houses in Mariental, Gobabis, Otjiwarongo and Kalkveld.”Amushila underlined the crucial need for corporate as well as government support for groups such as the SDFN.“We are happy that more corporate entities are joining hands with the federation to construct houses for the ultra-low-income community. Urban centres have seen the mushrooming of shacks and all these people are looking at the federation to assist them with affordable housing. With MTC now on board, it means we can now build more houses by scaling up.”Ekandjo said the 20 new homes will only make a relatively small dent, “considering the huge shortage of houses in Namibia”. “But if we can all participate and make our contribution, it will become impactful in the fight for housing.”Ekandjo said it is the collective responsibility of all Namibians to help their fellow citizens, so they can secure decent housing; especially for those who have struggled with severe poverty because of a lack of equal opportunities.The Standard Bank Buy-a-Brick project is geared towards addressing the housing shortage in the country by raising funds for the SDFN.The flagship corporate social investment initiative aims to facilitate poverty alleviation and improved shelter, in partnership with the SDFN, and has worked on mobilising the private sector and the public in raising the funds required by the federation to build affordable housing for disadvantaged Namibians.Amushila further thanked Ohorongo Cement, FNB Namibia, Pupkewitz and Neo Paints, which have also funded SDFN housing initiatives.In kind assistance was also provided by CPP, Suremix and the Baard Group in Walvis Bay, he said. He added the urban and rural development ministry has increased its annual allocation for housing to the federation by N$3 million, from N$7 million to N$10 million. JANA-MARI SMITH

MTC hands over N$700 000 for new homes

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Namibian Sun 2025-11-05

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MTC hands over N$700 000 for new homes

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Namibian Sun 2025-11-05

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