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Social dynamite in a small package

“All Namibians are guests for the evening and are invited to attend the launch by booking a seat for N$1000, a table for ten for N$10,000 or sponsoring participation of a successful woman in Namibia at N$25,000”

Ericah Shafudah, the Permanent Secretary of Finance and Businesswoman of the Year 2013, wants to sow seeds of prosperity in her community. With eighteen years of experience in planning and budgeting while serving in various positions at the National Planning Commission and the Ministry of Finance, Shafudah recently created a trust fund, stating that “its main objective is to empower women with a focus on the financial education of the Namibian girl child”. The trust launches on Saturday 09 August at the Windhoek Country Club resort where the Minister of Finance will deliver the key-note address. Who is the woman behind so much passion and purpose? A former Maths teacher at Paresis Secondary School in Otjiwarongo and efore becoming the PS of Finance, Shafudah assumed the responsibility of coordinating the National Development Budget through to the formulation of the Second National Development Plan (NDP2), Regional Development Plans and eventually Namibia Vision 2030.  Her passion for numbers lead her to the Ministry of Finance where she assumed greater responsibility in the administration of fiscal policies and financial laws that contribute to economic growth, socio- economic development and prudent financial management. Being part of the government team, she was nominated in the Government Category of the Namibian Businesswomen Awards. She finished as the overall winner of the prestigious award – Businesswoman of the Year 2013.

The petite but purpose-driven Shafudah said “financial management is close to my heart because it directs the critical path to stability and sustainable economic growth. It is for this reason that with the support and encouragement of my colleagues and friends, I created this Trust Fund. The Fund is registered with the Master of the High Court and has eight Trustees”.  She invites any member of public to support this fund in cash or kind, and to start with supporting the launch (and fundraising) event. “The trustees have prepared an annual plan to be rolled out after the launch and our activities include further fundraising events, and most importantly the identification of the beneficiaries. Our aim is to contribute to the future of the Namibian girl child, by contributing to her education in the area of financial management” she said adding that the beneficiaries should demonstrate seriousness because the project will not entertain failure.

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