Rehoboth: Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture (MEYSAC), Sanet Steenkamp visited the Hardap Region on Monday to assess existing programmes, sports, and educational facilities. Steenkamp, during her engagement with Hardap Governor Riaan McNab and the regional education directorate’s management team, stated that the purpose of her visit was to listen, observe, and build upon what has already been established in the region.
According to Namibia Press Agency,Steenkamp emphasized the ministry’s commitment to reinforcing existing structures and programmes in Hardap. She noted that everyone has a role in breaking the cycle of poverty and that the ministry’s aim is to assess, re-evaluate, and strengthen the current initiatives in place.
Governor McNab highlighted several challenges faced by the region, including the lack of vocational training facilities, limited schools, and a shortage of qualified teachers, particularly in Khoekhoegowab and Afrikaans. He stressed the urgent need for additional educational resources to improve access to both primary and tertiary education.
Rehoboth Town Council Public Relations Officer, Desire Pieters, underscored the importance of nurturing local talent in areas such as music, arts, and product manufacturing. Pieters advocated for empowerment through the identification and development of local skills, which could provide individuals with income-generating opportunities.
The minister’s visit included stops at several key facilities, such as the demolished youth center in Mariental, the damaged Mariental Secondary School sports stadium, Mariental Sports Stadium, ||Oaseb Secondary School in Gibeon, Gibeon Community Library, and the Johanna Jacobs Vocational Training Centre in Gibeon.