Santam harvests hope for Dordabis

Santam Namibia has committed N$150 000 towards a food gardening initiative that addresses food security, malnutrition and hunger at Dorbabis.

The initiative is in partnership with Crowning Gardens, a project initiated by Miss Namibia 2024 Prisca Anyolo and Urban Harvest.

The Dordabis Project utilises climate-smart hydroponics and aquaponics systems to provide fresh vegetables and fish to the community.

Deane Spall, co-founder of Urban Harvest speaking at the launch of the project yesterday said the hydroponic system will produce 200 to 250 heads of lettuce or equivalent greens per cycle.

“The aquaponic system will consist of six independently operating media bed systems, each producing 4 to 5kg of fish to harvest per cycle and of fresh vegetables,” said Spall.

He said the project is expected to benefit the Dordabis and surrounding communities with a supply of nutritious food and sustainable agricultural solutions.

Anyolo at the event said the aim of the project is to show that these communities can move away from relying only on donations and instead learn how to feed themselves.

“Namibia’s harsh, arid climate has long posed a challenge to food security, with many rural and peri-urban communities struggling to grow crops in water-scarce conditions. Growing food is just one aspect of this project. On a deeper level, it’s about cultivating resilience, education, and self-reliance,” said Anyolo.

Santam chief executive Franco Feris said the company’s commitment to the project is about making a workable difference in communities that need it the most.

“For us the Dordabis Project is about enabling communities to take ownership of their food security, build skills, and create long-term opportunities. We are proud to stand alongside Crowning Gardens and Urban Harvest in proving that climate-smart solutions can transform lives and inspire change across Namibia,” said Freis.

The initiative is expected to be rolled out to different projects.

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