The NAMDIA Foundation in August 2022 launched its Bursary Scheme, which would grant 14 students aspiring to pursue their academic studies at accredited tertiary education institutions in the SADC region.
Through a rigorous selection process, the NAMDIA Foundation awarded 14 young deserving students from 13 regions to pursue their tertiary education in the fields such as Mining Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Medicine, and Agronomics at UNAM, NUST, Stellenbosch University, University of Johannesburg, and the University of Zambia.
The announcement of the recipients was held in Windhoek on Friday, 3 February 2023, where Deputy Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises Mrs Maureen Hinda-Mbuende officially announced the recipients.
During her announcement, Deputy Minister Hinda-Mbuende encouraged the recipients to work hard and focus on their studies and make use of this wonderful opportunity that was awarded to them by The NAMDIA Foundation.
The event was also attended by members of the diamond industry and representatives from UNAM and NUST.
In her welcoming remarks, NAMDIA CEO and The NAMDIA Foundation Chairperson, Ms. Alisa Amupolo announced that the NAMDIA Foundation will invest approximately 2.8 million Namibian dollars per year on its first group of recipients, amounting to approximately N$200 000.00 per year per student.
This would cover the students’ tuition fees, hostel accommodation, transport, study material and a monthly stipend to cover their expenses during their academic tenure.
She also emphasised that with 5% of NAMDIA’s gross profits being channelled to The NAMDIA Foundation, the Foundation hopes to establish its bursary scheme as an annual project where more students will be selected for the program.
The NAMDIA Foundation received over 300 applications from across the country, with the majority of the applicants and recipients coming from marginalized backgrounds and some from single-parent households.
One successful applicant hails from each region of the country, with the exception of //Kharas, where two applicants were awarded bursaries.
In attendance, the Chairman of the NAMDIA Board of Directors, Mr Bryan Eiseb in his official remarks emphasised that at NAMDIA they believe the true value of Namibia’s diamonds can only be established when “we help eradicate poverty, and that is what NAMDIA aspires to accomplish.”
The inaugural recipients of The NAMDIA Foundation Bursary Scheme announced by Deputy Minister Maureen Hinda-Mbuende are as follows:
Erongo: Alweendo Tuwilika, Mining Engineering UNAM; Karas: Manyando Fred, Geology UNAM; Karas: Goeieman Alvaro, Civil Engineering University of Johannesburg; Kavango East: Amutenya Shetu, Mining Engineering NUST; Kavango West: Patrick Jacob, Chemical Engineering NUST; Khomas: Haukongo Hedula, Mechanical Engineering Stellenbosch University; Kunene: Murorua Bradley, Medicine and Surgery UNAM; Ohangwena: Shikudule Maria, Agronomics UNAM; Omaheke: Mujoro Unombuiro, Veterinary Medicine University of Zambia; Omusati: Henok Abiatar, Chemical Engineering NUST; Oshana: Shikele Homateni, Mining Engineering NUST; Oshikoto: Enkali Sackaria, Chartered Accounting NUST; Otjozondjupa: Gaseb Joakie, Power Engineering NUST; Zambezi: Sinvula Terrence, Mining Engineering NUST.
“The NAMDIA Foundation aims to continue undertaking projects aimed at producing lifelong and generational benefits that contribute to the overall social and economic growth of our nation,” stated NAMDIA’s spokesperson Ms Beverley Coussement.
“It also intends to broaden its impact program through short and long-term investments focused on the pillars of Education, Health, and Sport.”
The Foundation is also open to ad-hoc, high-impact initiatives aimed towards socioeconomic transformation.
In the photo: Bursary recipients, with in front from left NAMDIA CEO Ms Alisa Amupolo, NAMDIA Board Chairperson Mr Bryan Eiseb, Deputy Finance Minister Mrs Maureen Hinda-Mbuende, and on the extreme right are two parents.
