The Governor of Otjozondjupa Province, John //Khamuseb, officially opened the second school built by the Ju/‘hoansi Development Fund (JDF) at N#ama, in the southeastern Nyae Nyae Conservancy of Namibia on the 13th November, 2025.

In front of an audience of about four hundred parents, learners, teachers and officials, Mr //Khamuseb praised the excellent partnership the JDF had forged with the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture in securing the finance, building the school, supplementing food for the learners, assisting with teacher training, and providing much-needed transport.

With a generous donation from Ninety One, whose Africa Managing Director, Mr Eino Emvula, also made a speech at the opening, the JDF engaged the excellent services of Mr Pine Pienaar of Tsumkwe and his construction company. The school, like the first one built at Den/ui, consists of two well-appointed classrooms, boys’ and girls’ hostels with showers and separated toilets, two teachers’ flats with ablution facilities, and a kitchen with storerooms.

The Chairman of JDF, Dr Allen Zimbler, made a speech handing over both schools officially to the Ministry, who were represented by the Regional Director of Education, Mr Gerhard Ndafenongo, his Deputy Director, Mr Chris Tjivikua, Regional Inspector Mr Markus Munenge, and Mr Knox Imbuwa, Deputy Director Finance and Administration from Windhoek.

A huge amount of effort had gone into building a school out in the bush where the Ju/‘hoansi community had requested it, and Mrs Francine Ghauz, speaking on behalf of the head of the Traditional Authority, Chief Bobo Tsamkxao, thanked the JDF on behalf of the community.  A highlight of the proceedings was the traditional dancing and fire-making by members of the community, which delighted the children.

Dr Zimbler, speaking on behalf of the Board of Directors of the JDF, expressed appreciation to the Ministry for trusting such a tiny charity to the extent of signing an MoU with the JDF. He praised the part-time staff of the JDF, Project Director Ms Saskia den Adel-Sheehama, Teacher Mentor and Head of Department of the Village Schools Mr Festus Soroab, and Accounts Manager Ms Christa Potgieter.

Mr Ndafenongo answered that the small size of the JDF was not the issue – its impact had been massive, as was plain for all to see.

Lunch, prepared by the ladies of Tsumkwe and N#ama, with the assistance of JDF Board member Dr Alexandra Parrs, was efficiently served to all four hundred learners, parents, and guests.

The challenge continues, as the JDF is now seeking funds to build the next of the five mother-tongue, entry-level schools it has undertaken to build.

Community members teaching learners how to make fire during the opening event of the school