Martin Endjala
The ‘WE RACE TOGETHER CAMPAIGN’ launched last Month by MTC has been joined by other corporates to fight social issues hampering the growth of a strong Namibian community. Namib Mills, Shoprite and MTC have both registered their participation with contributions of N$120 000 each, while the Erongo Marine Enterprise pledged N$90 000 and the Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA), Namibia Airports Company and Namport each pledging N$ 30 000 at a MTC press conference yesterday.
MTC Public Relations Officer Erasmus Nekundi said the initiative is a way of establishing cultural togetherness and raising money for charitable causes for social good.
The project will see participating cooperates taking each other on bragging rights, where qualifying teams will face it off with Namibia’s finest Olympic athletes and Paralympics.
John Ekongo corporate communication officer at MTC expanded more on the campaigns lay-out, stating that the qualifying teams that emerge in the final, will face two world class teams of which one consist of the likes of Christine Mboma, Beatrice Masilingi, Frank Fredericks and Helaria Johannes, while the second team will comprise of the likes of Johannes Nambala, Johanna Benson and Ananias Shikongo.
Ekongo also welcomed the other companies which joined the initiative saying that it is through such collaboration and partnership that, “we were able to raise up too N$2 million in our previous knockout projects, where boxers, took part in boxing events as a way of creating awareness on gender based violence and raising money to help out the community”.
Ekongo also affirmed that professional coaches will be provided to all the teams to train for two months and teams will be grouped into four persons to face each other in the 4×100 meter relay. All kit costs will be covered by MTC according to Ekongo.
“It’s only by collaboration and partnership support that we can do better for the
Namibian community” he says. He further told the media conference that the money that will be raised will be going to a social charity, adding that the finer details are still in the works.
MTC will be inviting its collaboration partners to engage them on how much was raised and how the money can be spent and also in identifying the appropriate charity organisation. “We want to be as transparent as possible since MTC is not the only cooperate”, he said.
“It is a commendable move by companies to join hands to demonstrate a culture of working together in addressing common social issues in society, for it is through unity that meaningful and positive social change is achieved to ameliorate the lives of the men and women”, were the words of MTC Chief Human Capital Tim Ekandjo launching the campaign last month.
Several participating company representatives also echoed their excitement of being part of the initiative.
Namib Mills Brand Manager Heikeh Coerecius expressed her heartfelt gratitude towards the initiative stating that the company is always keen on supporting efforts that look to better the lives of the people.
“It is a daunting task ahead of us as cooperates, hence the need to do our duties in contributing to the social wellbeing of the Namibian community,” Coerecius said.
Shoprite head buyer Patricia Hangula, says that the initiative is one that Shoprite sees an opportunity in to give back to the community. The main event is slated for 23rd April at the Independence Stadium.
