Converting fishing rights into human rights for vulnerable groups

The patron of the Sam Nujoma Foundation, first President Dr Sam Nujoma last week visited Walvis Bay as guest of horse mackerel operator, Erongo Marine, to receive a substantial donation of canned fish earmarked for marginalised communities and schools.

The fish was presented to Dr Nujoma by Erongo Marine Managing Director, Dr Martha Uumati.

Earlier this year, at the 88th birthday celebrations of Dr Nujoma, \ Erongo Marine pledged an amount of N$250,000 for the construction of the primary school on the former president’s farm, Etunda, between Otjiwarongo and Otavi. The pledge was acknowledged and confirmed by Dr Uumati.

“Through our various Corporate Social Investment initiatives, Erongo Marine will continue to convert our fishing rights into human rights that create shared value by investing in sustainable and empowering community programmes and to advance the lives of local communities, not only in the Erongo region, but also throughout Namibia as illustrated here today. This shows our full support and commitment to the new fisheries scorecard implemented by the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources,” Erongo Marine Enterprises MD Dr Martha Uumati said. She noted that “our drive is to empower, equip and transform”.

Dr Uumati also specifically highlighted and acknowledged the contribution and commitment of the Erongo Marine staff and crew to the success of the company.

The Sam Nujoma Foundation has named the beneficiaries of the canned fish as the Children Life Change Centre with 35 orphans and street urchins, Ada Ma /Hao Senior in Otavi with 461 vulnerable people, Ausens Kindergarten, also in Otavi with 80 children, and the Omuangete Primary School in Opuwo with 186 learners.

Erongo Marine is the second biggest horse mackerel fishing company in Namibia.