Corporate Social Investment
Training, bursaries, donations and above all water infrastructure: how NamWater contributes to Namibian society.
A Responsible Corporate Citizen
NamWater regards itself as a responsible corporate citizen. Besides its commitment to tertiary and vocational training, the company contributes to the welfare of the communities it serves through donations, sponsorships and sharing information with the public. Its biggest contribution to society is the creation of water infrastructure.
NamWater does not receive a subsidy from the central Government and operates on the cost recovery principle. The money invested in water infrastructure, purification and electricity must be recovered so it can be reinvested in supplying water to the nation.
Bursaries and Job Attachments
Every year NamWater finances students at tertiary institutions in Namibia and the SADC region in fields such as engineering, finance and human resources. Bursary holders work at NamWater during their holidays, and after graduating they join an in-service training programme for two to three years. They can then take up job offers at NamWater or look for other opportunities in the Namibian economy. The company also gives students from other organisations the chance to gain work experience or complete their studies.
Since its inception, NamWater has awarded 108 bursaries and spent N$16 311 988 on the programme. In 2018, 13 students were on the NamWater bursary scheme.
Vocational Training
The Government has made vocational training a priority, because countries are built by people with practical skills. NamWater runs its own vocational training centre, the Human Resources Development Centre (HRDC), on the Von Bach premises near Okahandja. The Government funds training through the Namibia Training Authority (NTA), and every year young people enrol at the HRDC to train as water artisans, mechanics, electricians and in other trades the economy needs.
Enquiries about bursaries or vocational training can be directed to NamWater's Corporate Communication Division in Windhoek on +264 61 71 0000.
Management and Leadership Training
NamWater needs capable managers who can supervise employees to reach company goals, and leaders who can motivate them to contribute to the organisation's success. For this purpose the company runs an ongoing training programme for its management team at the University of Cape Town.