Namibia commemorates World Food Day
Her Worship, Councillor Agnes Kafula, Mayor, City of Windhoek, handing out food at the Nathanael Maxuilili Centre, Babylon yesterday on the first commemoration of Word Food Day in Namibia.
Her Worship Councillor Agnes Kafula, Mayor, City of Windhoek said that as this day is commemorated it must be recognised that there are thousands of residents, who do not have access to food and nutrition required to lead a healthy and productive life. “We must therefore admit that we all have the responsibility to promote a functioning food system that fully meet national food security needs,” she emphasised.
Honourable Marco Hausiku, Deputy Prime Minister said they join the world in the observance of this year’s World Food Day, with the theme: “Family Farming: Feeding the world, caring for the earth”. “This theme has been chosen by the Food and Agricultural Organisation in order to raise the profile of family farming and smallholder farming,” said Hausiku.
Hon. Hausiku added that the commemoration of the World Food Day is one of many actions that can be taken at a political and technical level in creating awareness among urban dwellers on the impact of food waste. He also added that it creates a platform to sensitize the nation on the importance of food banks and other initiatives which promote food security in the country.
“Investing in urban agriculture is another area that need serious consideration and in Namibia urban agriculture has not been fully explored as the belief may have been that rural Namibia will produce. But last years drought has taught us that the contrary is true, therefore our duty is to plan and shape the urban agricultural system in ways that will alleviate hunger and poverty and promote sustainable development,” concluded Hausiku.
His Worship Muesee Kazapua, Deputy Mayor, City of Windhoek thanked Hartlief for 40kg of sandwich ham, Mr Kobi Alexander for food supplies to the 550 children at Maxuilili Community Centre, Shoprite for a voucher worth N$600, Pick and Pay Wernhill for 30kg rice, 14 kg potatoes, 14kg oranges and 100 broetchens, Super Spar Maerua for 50kg rice, Namibian Beverages for cool drinks and Namib Mills for 288 of 50kg macaroni. He added that the food collected will be distributed to 7 identified feeding projects around the City. “As we speak there is already feeding going on at this centre, I therefore challenge other corporate partners to emulate this good example for the benefit of our needy people,” he concluded.
