Vice-President Lucia Witbooi has called on Namibians to emulate educational ideals of building a knowledge-based society envisioned by the late Deputy Prime Minister, Hendrik Witbooi, and fellow national leaders. 

She made the call during her visit to Johanna Jacobs Vocational Centre in Gibeon. 

The centre was established in 2021 and accredited by the Namibia Training Authority.

It offers technical and entrepreneurial training in solar installation and maintenance, tourism and hospitality, office administration, and real estate. 

The Johanna Jacobs Vocational Centre carries historical significance, as it operates from the former Ecumenical Private School in Gibeon.

The Ecumenical Private School in Gibeon was founded by the late Hendrik Witbooi and others as part of their resistance against the Bantu education system introduced under the apartheid regime. 

"Let's build on it. It is our responsibility as people from this village, people from the south, and the Namibian people to build on the legacy of the late comrade Hendrik Witbooi and others. It was for the Namibians."

The founder of the centre, Richie Vries, emphasised that education remains a key driver for change.

"The important thing about this VTC is that we want to tackle those houses where there is acute poverty. We want to ensure that the right people pursue their studies so that fire can come back into people's houses. It is very important." 

The Green Hydrogen Namibia programme also pledged support to assist the former Ecumenical Private School hall, which was dubbed Dantago Hall.