AR questions B2Gold’s Otavi youth scheme

The Affirmative Repositioning (AR) has criticised mining company B2Gold over its handling of the ‘Be Your Own Boss’ initiative at Otavi.

The initiative, aimed at empowering young entrepreneurs at the town, was launched a few weeks ago with funding from B2Gold.

The AR claims the project was compromised by financial mismanagement and a lack of transparency.

In a statement issued by AR’s Otjozondjupa regional chairperson and activist Jay Jay on Friday, the movement demanded an urgent meeting to renegotiate funding in favour of the Otavi community.

This is after B2Gold released a statement defending the programme.

“We find the statement severely lacking in transparency and accountability. It appears primarily aimed at protecting certain individuals – specifically employees and appointed trainers – who have misappropriated funds at the expense of the community and aspiring entrepreneurs,” the AR’s statement reads.

Among the concerns raised are unexplained increases in equipment funding per trainee, from an initial N$3 000 to N$5 500.

“With only N$110 000 allocated for equipment and just N$125 000 remaining in the account, the revised N$5 500 per trainee appears driven by leftover funds rather than a planned distribution,” Jay Jay said.

The movement also questioned the logic behind the operational costs totaling N$282 600, calling them disproportionate given the limited travel and the fact that only two coaches were involved. Further, the trainer fees of N$797 400 were labeled “alarmingly high,” with the AR arguing that the vast majority of the N$1.19 million budget was spent on facilitators rather than on the trainees themselves.

Further, AR claims the appointment of Catherine Kambanda as trainer was influenced by personal relationships within the company.

“It is disappointing and disheartening that a program intended to empower local entrepreneurs instead prioritised the financial interests of trainers and insiders,” Jay Jay said.

Through a statement issued by their corporate communications manager, Namasiku Nalisa, B2Gold has maintained that they are committed to transparency, and will engage with the Otavi Town Council to clear up any issues.

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