A healthy diet is the cornerstone of a successful school career and in the Kavango West Region the Mungongi Agricultural Project has played a pivotal role in supporting local schools through food sponsors thanks to surplus harvests.

The Mungongi Agriculture Project grows a bounty of fresh vegetables such as cabbage, onions, tomatoes, green peppers, watermelon, pumpkin and more. This project has become the heart of the Musese village, where it is situated. Through the project, water is provided to the community, employment opportunities for individuals from the community have been created, and now school food donations have been added to the list of benefits deriving from this project. It is a true example of the power of community support and caring for others, enabled through public-private partnerships.

Situated near the mighty Kavango River, an area where agriculture tends to thrive thanks to an abundance of water nearby, the Mungongi Agriculture Project employs traditional irrigation methods and has seen bountiful vegetable harvests that are sold in areas such as Rundu, Nkurenkuru and nearby communities.

Previously, when harvests exceeded expectations, founder and manager of the project, Steven Mungongi, noted that this success meant extra pressure on them, because without adequate cool storage facilities the surplus production faced the unfortunate fate of going to waste. Recognising the potential impact on local communities, Mungongi Agricultural Project took a proactive step by donating a portion of their harvest to two schools.

Ntara Combined School and Olavi Sivhute Kangumbe Combined School were the recipients of this sponsor and explained that it was no ordinary sponsor because its impact has been invaluable. The principal of Ntara Combined School, Florinus Mpareke, explained the timely nature of the donation as learners were preparing for their examinations. In his words, “The sponsor has made a meaningful difference in the lives of our learners. Learners camp at the school during examination preparations, so your contribution is invaluable.”

Kasanga Johannes, a Grade 11 learner at Olavi Sivhute Kangumbe Combined School, shared his perspective on the impact of the sponsor during the camping period, saying, “The sponsor played a major role – we appreciate the generous contribution.”

Mungongi Agricultural Project received a significant boost from Debmarine Namibia, equipping them with essential agricultural tools. The collaborative efforts between Mungongi Agricultural Project and Debmarine Namibia showcase the positive outcomes of public-private partnerships, as well as highlight the significance of community support.

As these agricultural endeavours contribute to the welfare of local schools, they underscore the potential for sustainable practices to bridge gaps and uplift educational experiences in Namibia. This project demonstrates how local agriculture can extend far beyond the boundaries of food production to positively impact other fields such as education, thereby fostering a sense of community well-being. TN