Van origine inheems in Zuid-Afrika werd dit in cultuur makkelijke bolgewasje daarvandaan ingevoerd in 1868 door de V.O.C. in Nederland. De plant die Afrikaanse Hosta als volksnaam gekregen heeft, tooi...

Patience Makwele An appeal made during the Vice President Lucia Witbooi’s visit to the Omaheke region earlier this year has changed the life of an eight-year-old girl after members of the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) donated a wheelchair that will allow her to attend school next year. Unondjamo Stoffart, who lives with a mobility disability at the Children’s Sanctuary in Drimiopsis, received the wheelchair from members of the NDF’s 126 Motorised Infantry Battalion following a plea made by the sanctuary’s centre manager during the Vice President’s official visit to the Kalahari Constituency in January. The donation was made voluntarily by members of the battalion after learning about the child’s need for mobility support. Speaking at the handover ceremony, General Officer Commanding of the 12 Motorised Infantry Brigade, Brigadier General Nathanael Endjala, said the occasion was about more than handing over a wheelchair. He said it reflected the soldiers’ commitment to serving communities beyond their military duties through compassion, unity and a shared responsibility to support those in need. Commanding Officer of the 126 Motorised Infantry Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Appollos Ngaamwa, said even small acts of kindness can have a lasting impact on vulnerable children. “Let this occasion remind us all that even a small act of kindness can transform someone’s life. Let us continue working together to uplift vulnerable girls and boys in our society and ensure that no child is left behind,” he said. Omaheke Governor Pijoo Nganate commended the battalion for its continued commitment to community development, saying the wheelchair donation was another example of its support for vulnerable communities in the region. He noted that the battalion had previously renovated facilities at Khoandawes Primary School and Gobabis Project School, as well as participated in neighbourhood clean-up campaigns. The children’s sanctuary manager Belinda Tsuses expressed gratitude for the donation, saying it would restore the young girl’s dignity and independence while significantly improving her mobility.

Staff Reporter AN eight-year-old girl from the Omaheke Region who lives with a mobility disability has received a wheelchair donated by members of the Namibian Defence Force’s (NDF) 126 Motorised Infantry Battalion, following an appeal made during the Vice President’s visit to the region earlier this year. The wheelchair was presented to Unondjamo Stoffart, a resident of the Children’s Sanctuary in Drimiopsis, after the centre’s manager raised her need for mobility support during the Vice President’s official visit to the Kalahari Constituency in January 2026. Speaking at the handover ceremony, General Officer Commanding of the 12 Motorised Infantry Brigade, Nathanael Endjala, said the occasion was about more than donating a wheelchair. --- Photos: MICT Omaheke --- He said it reaffirmed the commitment of NDF members to serve and support the communities they are sworn to protect while demonstrating compassion, unity and responsibility. Commanding Officer of the 126 Motorised Infantry Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Appollos Ngaamwa, said the donation highlighted the impact that acts of kindness can have on vulnerable members of society. “Let this occasion remind us all that even a small act of kindness can transform someone’s life. Let us continue working together to uplift vulnerable girls and boys in our society and ensure that no child is left behind,” Ngaamwa said. Omaheke Regional Governor Pijoo Nganate commended the battalion for its continued community outreach, adding that the donation was another example of its longstanding support for communities in the region. He said members of the battalion had previously undertaken renovation projects at Khoandawes Primary School and Gobabis Project School, as well as neighbourhood clean-up campaigns. Manager of the Children’s Sanctuary, Belinda Tsuses, thanked the NDF for the donation, saying the wheelchair would restore the young girl’s dignity and significantly improve her mobility. Unondjamo is expected to begin her education at Drimiopsis Primary School next year. The post Wheelchair donation gives Omaheke girl new mobility ahead of school appeared first on Informanté.

The Kalahari Constituency Councillor, Zed Katjiuanjo, said sanitation, water provision and income-generating projects will be his prime focus this year. He said he is committed to bettering the living standards of Kalahari constituency residents and that of the entire Omaheke Region. Speaking at Drimiopsis, Katjiuanjo stressed that water provision needs serious attention and plans are underway to ensure that additional boreholes are drilled to set up community. "We have drilled two boreholes here at Drimiopsis, which have cubic metres of 36 and 18, and we say Drimiopsis will not face any water problems anymore, and as we say the water is enough, we will also make sure that the community garden we have gets underway and we start doing the work so that people can have food. Also, we want to bring projects like chicken projects and sewing projects, so we are looking forward to bringing more projects in this vicinity of drimiopsis." Katjiuanjo said that new toilets are being constructed at Drimiopsis that will be connected to sewer reticulation systems and move away from the old bucket toilet system. He pleaded with the residents to engage with their local development committee in their areas, as this will assist with better planning at constituency level. Katjiuanjo also invited residents to engage his office regarding income-generating projects.

Vice President Lucia Witbooi continued her official visit in the Omaheke Region, stopping at Drimiopsis and Otjinene, where she met with learners, community members and marginalised groups. In Drimiopsis, Witbooi visited Children Sanctuary Namibia, an orphanage started in 2013 and currently home to 20 children. She commended the volunteers at the facility for their continued commitment to caring for vulnerable children. "One thing that stands out and is very important and clear is volunteering. Nowadays, people just want; if you say sweep here, then you have to pay, then you have to give something. But still we have people that are volunteering. A very kind gesture, and in that, when you do it with love, when you do it with peace, there is a blessing. There must be a blessing if you are volunteering for years and years. I don't say stay in the volunteerism. But if you do things with a whole heart and love and peace, then I believe. There is a blessing." She later addressed learners at Mokganedi Tlhabanello High School, encouraging them not to let their backgrounds limit their future. The Vice President urged the learners to stay focused on their goals, despite the challenges they face. "My dear learners, you must never allow your background to define your limits. You are capable, like any other children. You deserve opportunities, whether you aspire to your teacher, to be a doctor, leaders or innovators, your dreams are valid and your contribution to Namibia is needed.I pledge N$5000 for the school, and you will see where the need is and put it there." At Otjinene, Witbooi visited the San Garden at !Guidom Village, an initiative started in 2007 by Chief !Tio Frans to address food insecurity in the community. Chief Frans raised concerns over water shortages, saying the garden is outside the village council boundary, limiting access to services such as water to sustain the garden. He also highlighted the urgent need for housing for his people. Witbooi acknowledged the concerns. "My priority is decent housing. Of course, it will not happen in a year, but we can identify a place area and have a plan. But that is something I want to leave as a legacy." The Vice President also held engagement sessions with community members in both Drimiopsis and Otjinene, where she listened to their concerns. #NBCNews #nbcdigitalnews #nbcDSTV282 #nbcGOtv20 #nbcPlusApp

VP Witbooi continues Omaheke visit in Drimiopsis and Otjinene NBC Online Wed, 01/28/2026 - 18:43