The Karibib Town Council has raised N$1.2 million towards its first ever Mayoral Fund, aimed at responding to the various needs of the community.
The Karibib Town Council came up with the idea to establish the first ever mayoral fund and invited the public and private sectors, individuals, and international partners to contribute money and services at an entertaining fundraising dinner.
The mayor says whenever there is a disaster at Karibib, the community approaches the council to assist, but due to budgetary constraints, the people do not get the help.
Davey Van Wyk revealed that a committee run by community members has been created to handle the affairs of the fund.
"That committee will sit down and evaluate to make a recommendation through the mayor's office to the council to say that this disaster happened at this house, that this vulnerable person is here, that these school kids need this assistance, that this student has qualified to go to university, but we know the background of the house. This money is not there for people to come and open a sheeben and do these types of things. This one is to alleviate poverty amongst our people."
President Nangolo Mbumba, who was represented by the Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister, Derek Klazen, said Karibib has grown over the years as people come from all over to look for jobs at surrounding mines and farms.
Although the economic growth is positive, the influx of people leads to an increased demand for services, he said.
"The absence of such support services may result in individuals and families facing various challenges, including financial hardships, food insecurity, a lack of housing, and many others. Initiatives such as this one play an instrumental role in providing much-needed support. It is justifiable that companies, businesses, and institutions that are operating in Karibib or providing services are benefiting from such growth and population growth through corporate social responsibility."
Born and partly raised in Karibib, Moses Pakote, the Executive Director in the office of the president, is the patron of the fund.
"We visited a family who has been devastated by gender-based violence. When we say gender-based violence, it sounds cliche, but we saw it firsthand. The pain and distress of what violence can do to a family are the ones that we see that this fund will be assisting with. We also see that this fund will hopefully assist the youth of Karibib."
Among the highest contributors to the fund was the Chinese Embassy, which pledged N$100,000.