Over N$1 million was pledged towards the Lüderitz Mayoral Fundraising Gala dinner that was held on Saturday in Lüderitz.

The funds are earmarked for community development projects within the town.

The gala dinner, held under the theme "Building Stronger Communities Through Partnership", highlighted the importance of collaboration between institutions, businesses and the community to mobilise funds for projects that will improve the lives of residents and ensure the town's economic growth benefits everyone.

The amount included pledges from 15 companies and individual donors with Namport, making the largest contribution of N$370,000, and individual donors pledged a combined total of N$32,501.

The mayor of Lüderitz, Brigitte Fredericks, reiterated, "As our town continues to emerge as one of Namibia's most promising economic frontiers, driven by growth in fisheries, logistics, tourism, oil and gas and green hydrogen, we must remain committed to ensuring that no member of our community is left behind."

The patron of the mayoral fund, Andrew Kanime, emphasised collective progress by quoting, "A rising tide lifts all boats", highlighting that community prosperity benefits everyone.

"This is precisely the reason, as also articulated earlier, why the Lüderitz Mayoral Fund exists. To ensure that the economic progress we are working so hard to create or to achieve brings tangible improvements to the lives of ordinary people."

The funds will also go towards several mayoral projects planned for this year, including an elders' luncheon, community development programmes, toilet paper facilities, a recycling plant, school greenhouse projects, academia and social welfare initiatives.