Governor acknowledges skills transfer

WINDHOEK, Mar. 9 -Kavango East Regional, Governor Hon. Dr. Samuel Mbambo, represented by Bonny Kahare, applauded Ohorongo and the Buildit group for their commitment to give brickmaking training in each of the 14 regions of Namibia which, he says will ensure that nobody is left out.

Mr. Kahare made these remarks during the Ohorongo Buildit Brickmaking Academy, at Rundu today (8 March 2018), where about 17 people from his region received skills in the trade of brickmaking.

“Imparting much needed skills such as brickmaking, has proven to reverse the unemployment rate in many countries worldwide. This skill, has also proven that it is possible to cut down on the cost of building a house, as bricks are made on site cutting out the logistics cost,” said Mr. Kahare.

During the brickmaking training session, the trainees received guidance on the right aggregates that is most beneficial to use during the brickmaking process. Beyond the training, Ohorongo Technical Team, together with a support team from Buildit stores, will continue to give technical assistance and advice to the trainees, to ensure the best outcome and high quality bricks.

As a permanent offset area for their products, Buildit Group has committed to buy the bricks produced by the trainees, pending adherence to strict quality control measures.

“This academy is especially important to us and forms a stable foundation and framework upon which things can continue to grow,” said Paul Hinson, Category Buyer for the Buildit Group.

The Academy is the result of the Smart Partnership between Ohorongo and one of its customers, the Buildit Group, established in March last year, in support of government’s development policies, as well as poverty eradication efforts. It is envisaged that, if the trainees set up their own business and each employ 2 people, it could result in the creation of 630 additional jobs.

Mr Hans-Wilhelm Schütte, the Managing Director of Ohorongo said; “As a family organisation, at Ohorongo, we are on a constant quest to share our skills and knowledge, which has the potential to unlock opportunities within established and emerging industries, and ultimately setting Namibian on the path of industrialisation.”
Trainee selection is done through liaison with the various Regional Governors’ offices.

Ohorongo Cement/Buildit are not qualified training institutions and cannot accredit any individual after training has been done. The training is done solely in support of Harambee, transfer of skills & knowledge & employment creation in order to empower people on community level. – NDN Staffer