The Capricorn Foundation has reaffirmed its commitment to combating child malnutrition in the Omaheke Region with a further investment of N$1,044,000 in partnership with Genesis Namibia.
Announced on Tuesday, 16 June 2026, the funding will support 1000 vulnerable children during 2026 through the Genesis Nutrition Programme, bringing the Foundation’s total investment in the programme to N$3,244,000 since 2024.
Launched in 2024 as a pilot initiative to address malnutrition in the Omaheke Region, the initiative initially benefited 700 children. Since then, the collaboration has expanded to support 3,000 children to date and has provided more than 340,000 Genesis meals.
The initiative was born of the Capricorn Foundation’s commitment to advancing sustainable social impact by addressing hunger and poverty in Namibia, and of the 2023 national reports, which indicated rising hunger, primarily due to recurring droughts that worsened household food security.
The Omaheke Region was among the worst-affected in Namibia by child malnutrition, highlighting the importance of collaborative, long-term strategies to empower communities and build resilience. This background shaped the Capricorn Foundation’s strategic focus on combating malnutrition in Omaheke, in partnership with Genesis Namibia.
Veripura Muukua, Head of the Capricorn Foundation, said, “As Connectors of Positive Change, we believe meaningful impact is achieved through collaboration. Our partnership with Genesis Namibia reflects our commitment to addressing immediate needs and to building sustainable solutions that empower communities and strengthen resilience.”
Muukua added, “We are encouraged by the progress and positive changes we’ve seen in the project during our visit to the Omaheke Region. The team visits the soup kitchens every two weeks to assess the children’s progress and conduct growth assessments, with each child’s growth measurements and development meticulously documented. This is a pivotal determinant of the project’s impact.”
Beyond providing meals, the Capricorn Foundation and Genesis Namibia are advancing a more sustainable approach to combating malnutrition through garden initiatives that began in 2025.
The introduction of agricultural initiatives, such as the food production project at Kruger Kamp, represents a strategic shift towards long-term food security. By integrating horticulture and community-based food production, the initiative aims to support local soup kitchens while, over time, reducing reliance on external nutritional inputs.
Riaan van Zyl, Genesis Namibia Managing Director, stated, “The Genesis Nutrition Programme is centred on improving the health and development of vulnerable children by providing scientifically formulated nutritional meals through a network of 20 community soup kitchens across the Omaheke Region.
“Each Genesis meal contains 13 vitamins, five minerals, 19 amino acids, omega-3 fatty acids and five electrolytes, providing essential nutrition to support healthy growth, strengthen immunity and improve cognitive development.”
He added, “While children remain the primary beneficiaries, the programme also extends nutritional support to selected HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and cancer patients, as well as pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers with infants younger than 12 months, where additional nutritional intervention is critical.
“Since the introduction of the community gardening initiative in 2025, local volunteers have become central to the programme’s success.
What began as a feeding intervention has evolved into a community-led sustainability initiative, with volunteers cultivating crops, supporting soup kitchens and sharing agricultural knowledge.
“Together, these initiatives are creating a pathway towards self-sustaining communities where locally grown food complements Genesis nutrition, reducing dependence on external support while ensuring children continue to receive the nourishment they need to thrive. We could not achieve this without the support of the Capricorn Foundation.”
The Capricorn Foundation was established by the Capricorn Group in February 2020 and is a registered welfare organisation in Namibia. The Foundation focuses on education, health, the environment, and entrepreneurship, and continues to partner with institutions across the country to drive positive, lasting change.
In the photo: A child having a meal through the Capricorn Foundation and Genesis Namibia partnership.
