Residents receive training in brickmaking

TWENTY-THREE residents of the Otjozondjupa region received training at Build-It’s Otavi branch on Wednesday to manufacture bricks.

The trainees comprised seven women and 16 men who underwent one-day theoretical and intensive practical training through a countrywide initiative cosponsored by the Ohorongo Cement factory and Built-It, building materials hardware store.

The trainees hailed from the Omatako, Okahandja, Otjiwarongo, Okakarara, Otavi, Grootfontein and Tsumkwe constituencies. Otavi mayor, Martha Shipanga also participated.

Brickmaking specialist from Ohorongo Cement, Jurgens Nel provided the training.

Ohorongo marketing manager Carina Sowden told Nampa at the event the training is aimed at capacitating and developing community members with skills on how to manufacture quality super bricks for sale at any Build-It shop in the country.

She said trainees would also receive certificates of attendance and booklet manuals to guide them when manufacturing bricks.

Special adviser to the Otjozondjupa regional governor, Moses Tjipurua !Omeb delivered a motivational statement at the event.

“You are today learning to make bricks, but for us, you are the bricks of the Namibian future; bricks towards a better future and hope for wealth creation and economic development of this country,” he said.

!Omeb said it is now up to the trainees to apply the skills acquired and turned such into income generating ventures by starting their businesses since Build-It has committed to buying their bricks.

He added that the trainees should appreciate this free training opportunity by working hard once they are back at their respective constituencies.

The training forms part of the Ohorongo Cement and Build-It initiative launched in March this year to empower people from all 14 regions of the country with brickmaking skills over a two-year period. – Nampa

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