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Lüderitz children outside again

Two substantial donations from extractive giant, Anglo American, have helped to bring recreation in a safe environment, back to the often-forgotten Lüderitz community. In partnership with the Lüderitz Town Council and Rotary Club International, the Anglo American Namibia Foundation contributed N$458,000 to upgrade the sports stadium and build a playground for the children of the town.
Earlier this year, the upgraded Nautilus Sports Stadium was handed to the Lüderitz community. The stadium was in need of an upgrade after the town won the bid to host the Namibia Local Authority Sport Recreation Association Games. Anglo American contributed N$358,000 of the N$1,6 million cost of the project, with the Lüderitz Town Council contributing the rest.
The Nautilus sports facility will also become the hub of a new recreation centre for the youth of Lüderitz. Councillor Susan Ndajaleka, the mayor of the town, expressed her delight with the new facilities and hoped that they will be used by the town’s people. “A place to go to be physically active and safe at the same time was always a challenge in our community. But this new stadium gives us a space to come together as a community to get healthy.”
At the playground in the Benguela neighbourhood, Anglo American installed new equipment and upgraded the site. The new park is built on the land donated by the town council, with the Anglo American Namibia Foundation contributing N$100,000 with the Rotary Clubs of Claremont donating N$25,000, and Offenburg, Germany contributing N$60,000.
The park is now a safe space for children who would otherwise be playing on the streets. Councillor Ndajaleka said the smiles on the faces of the children spoke volumes.
“Thanks to Anglo American’s donation, the community is now provided with a resource that will see their children play in a safe environment and families enjoying valuable recreational space that was previously unavailable.” Richard Cook, coordinator of the Namibia Foundation concludes that these projects are part of Anglo American’s ongoing involvement with Namibian communities to contribute towards social, educational and emotional betterment of Namibia’s youth.

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