Niël Terblanché
The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) has partnered with the Namibian National Association of the Deaf (NNAD) to support the creation of a locally designed mobile application for sign language.
Through its Namport Social Investment Fund (NSIF), the state-owned enterprise donated an iMac and a MacBook worth N$100,000 to strengthen the NNAD’s technical capacity.
The handover took place last week at Namport’s head office in Walvis Bay.
Namport’s manager of marketing and stakeholder engagement, Cliff Shikuambi, said the donation is part of a broader commitment to inclusive socio-economic development.
“Through NSIF, we aim to support interventions that make a tangible difference in the lives of marginalised communities,” he said.
Shikuambi said the app will help deaf users access essential services in healthcare, education, and legal support.
It will also support the wider use and standardisation of Namibian sign languages across the country.
The national executive director of NNAD, Paul Nanyeni, welcomed the support and said it will boost the organisation’s ability to deliver quality sign language resources, training, and advocacy.
“Namport’s support through its Corporate Social Investment Programme not only demonstrates a clear commitment to inclusive development but also serves as a powerful endorsement of the importance of accessible communication for the Deaf community,” he said.
Since its creation in 2006, NSIF has allocated more than N$78 million to socio-economic development projects across all 14 regions. These include initiatives in education, health, job creation, and environmental sustainability.
Shikuambi said Namport’s partnership with the NNAD aligns with national development goals.
“Namport commends NNAD for its continued dedication to empowering the Deaf community. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this project will have in advancing inclusivity across Namibia,” he said.
He added that once completed, the app is expected to improve communication with deaf individuals and raise public awareness about the barriers they face.
