Capricorn Group and partners help NGO’s navigate uncertain times.

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Windhoek, April 20 — In partnership with the Bank Windhoek Social Investment Fund and the Lithon Foundation, Capricorn Foundation, Capricorn Group’s vehicle for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, presented an informative, online capacity building workshop for NGO’s on 16 April 2021, discussing the ever-changing environment of non-profit organisations in Namibia.

Capricorn Group pointed out that with their engagements with several section 21 NGO’s, welfare organisations and other programmes during the past few months, it was evident that there is a lot of uncertainty and anxiety about the future. There was a visible shift in the allocation of funding from the private sector to help vulnerable communities in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, which, combined with the economic climate, created serious financial challenges for many NGO’s working in other areas such as food security, job creation and education.
In his opening remarks, the Capricorn Foundation chairperson, Mr Johan Swanepoel, emphasised the Group’s belief in the principle of working together with like-minded partners to make a positive impact on society and thanked NGO’s for their contribution to creating positive change in communities. He also said that Capricorn Group considers Corporate Social Responsibility as “Doing the right thing for the right reasons.” He indicated that organisations, together with NGO’s set an example of responsible businesses working and building towards a sustainable future.

The panel discussion focused on the need for welfare organisations to rethink their strategies to ensure future sustainability and growth and raise funds for their critical work in the communities. Mrs Sabina Jacobs, a Registrar from the National Welfare Board – Ministry of Health and Social Services, gave a thorough explanation of the social welfare sphere, its needs, and the Ministry’s assistance to welfare organisations. She also praised welfare organisations in what they are doing and said, “It is so good to see that we are not standing alone anymore, but businesses and welfare organisations are joining hands to deliver community-based welfare social services to the community.”

Panellists, Hannes Kotze: Audit Manager from SGA Chartered Accountants and Auditors, Susan Nel: Board Member from Step out of Poverty through Education, Encouragement and Support (SPES Charity),Panashe Daringo: Managing Director MPP Civils Namibia and Sabina Jacobs, Registrar from the National Welfare Board – Ministry of Health and Social Services, discussed the different aspects of NGO development.

Capricorn Foundation is a registered Welfare Organisation (WO 499), and the Bank Windhoek Social Investment Fund is widely recognised for its positive contribution and upliftment of Namibian communities since its establishment 20 years ago. They work closely together to make a more significant positive impact in the communities. The Lithon Foundation has a solid track record in capacity building initiatives for NGO’s with various stakeholders both in the private sector and government. It is now assisting the government in collating and having a much-needed centralised database of all Namibia charities.

Capacity building workshops like these are valuable to welfare organisations in helping them achieve their objectives and elevating some of the pressures that some Namibians endure in social circumstances.

Robert Maseka
mrobert@namibiadailynews.info