Former learners of Festus Gonteb Primary School in Swakopmund are moving swiftly to turn the construction of a N$50 million school hall into reality.
 
 Since its establishment in the 1960s, Festus Gonteb Primary School, one of the oldest schools in Swakopmund, has served generations of learners in Mondesa.
 
But the alumni say the school has long lacked adequate facilities for major educational and community activities.
 
Now, former learners are stepping in with plans for a modern hall with a capacity of one thousand.
 
Alumni spokesperson Fluksman Samuehl explained.
 
"And it is also, of course, going to have other facilities, such as a boardroom, a kitchen, and a storeroom. This school hall will certainly be used for educational, cultural, and social gatherings, and to capacitate people in the Directorate of Education to use that facility for all kinds of activities, but more, I think, to give capacity to Mondesa.”
 
 The project has now reached the approval stage, with detailed plans submitted to the education authorities under the Erongo Regional Council.
 
 Once approved, the alumni group plans to mobilise N$50 million from the private sector, government, and civil society.
 
 Samuel underscored that the project is not only about a building but also about addressing decades of inadequate facilities at a school that has produced numerous prominent figures in Namibia.
 
“Since 1960, when the school was set up, learners who went through that school have been deprived of important educational services and facilities. So therefore, it makes sense that education is everybody's business.”
 
The initiative is spearheaded by three former learners—Samuehl, who is the Chairperson of the Public Enterprises CEOs Forum; New Era CEO Christopher Maletsky; and Letsego CEO Ester Kali.
 
The alumni group said several stakeholders, including the municipality, regional council, and state-owned enterprises, have expressed support.
 
The goal is to begin construction and completion targeted within the next 24 months.
 
The alumni group has already funded a N$2 million boundary wall.