The Mobile Telecommunication Company (MTC), through its Rural Schools Project, officially inaugurated a block of four classrooms and a storeroom at Kahunikwa Primary School in the Zambezi Region.

The classes and storeroom were constructed at a cost of N$1.2 million, with a N$200.000 contribution from the MVA Fund towards the project.

Kahunikwa Primary School in the Sibbinda Constituency consists of five staff members and 67 learners from grades one to three, whose lessons were all conducted in mud structures for years before assistance was given by the two funders.

MTC's Manager for Corporate Affairs, Sponsorship, and Promotions, John Ekongo, highlighted the company's legacy projects.

"Our MTC philosophy for ESG, which is environmental social governance towards community impact, is that we look into areas like education, health, poverty alleviation, small and medium enterprises, and youth training to ensure that we create a system of sustainability. We create a system of ensuring that Namibia is able to project itself towards the world. As MTC,  we say we might be local, but we think global in our efforts."

The MVA Fund's Chief Operations Officer, Philip Nghifitikeko, stated the need to support the government's efforts in ensuring that there are schooling opportunities for every Namibian child.

"Ladies and gentlemen, rural schools like this one contribute significantly to community economic development. A strong education system attracts professionals, businesses, and investments, creating a cycle of growth and prosperity. Investments such as this further help to prevent urbanisation, often in search of education for children, as schools that have adequate space and facilities are better able to attract and retain younger students."

The Zambezi Governor, Lawrence Sampofu, spoke on behalf of the Minister of Education, Arts, and Culture, Anna Nghipondoka.

"Education is a shared responsibility, and the ministry needs more friends of education, such as MTC Namibia, MVA Fund, and many others, to come on board and join us on this seemingly difficult but exciting journey of knowledge and skills development for our learners, who are architects of our country's economic emancipation in the near future."

Sampofu urged other companies to follow suit and help the ministry reach its target number of schools and ablution facilities around the country.