The Otjikoto B2Gold Mine on Wednesday handed over blankets, beds and mattresses to the Otjozondjupa Regional Council for further distribution to the destitute, old age homes and victims of shack fires.
B2Gold Mine’s Corporate Social Investment Manager, Ignatius |Awaseb and the mine’s Assistant General Manager, Dama Fotolela, handed over the items valued at an estimated N.dollars 500 000 to Otjozondjupa Regional Council Chairperson Marlayn Mbakera.
|Awaseb said the consignment consists of 148 new and used double, quarter and single beds, 162 mattresses, 204 mattress protectors, 235 fitted sheets, 213 duvets and 25 blankets, 237 pillows and 10 bags of second-hand linen.
‘We sourced these blankets, beds and bedding from our farm lodge at the Otjikoto B2Gold Mine outside Otjiwarongo,’ said |Awaseb.
Mbakera on her part thanked the management of Otjikoto B2Gold Mine for the donation, saying their regular donations make her community work much easier.
‘Three weeks ago seven families who fell victim to shack fir
es came to my office looking for assistance, now my office has blankets, beds and linen. I will distribute it without any delay,’ she said.
Mbakera said five of the shack fires, including one fatality, occurred in Otjiwarongo, while the other two occurred in the Kalkfeld settlement, which also falls under her constituency.
She said shack fires are common, especially in the informal areas during winter.
Mbakera concluded by saying the donated items will be strictly distributed to those in need across the seven constituencies of Otjiwarongo, Otavi, Grootfontein, Tsumkwe, Okakarara, Okahandja and Omatako.
Source: The Namibia Press Agency