Marthina Mutanga
PRESIDENT Hage Geingob today officially launched the Dr Hage Geingob Cup Donation Project at the Senior Park Old Age Home in Pioneers park that will see 22 old age homes and maternity-waiting shelters receiving donations.
Speaking at the launch, President Geingob said that the Cup organising committee proposed that since there is no football this year, the Cup will devote the income to the elderly all over the country.
He then thanked the organising committee and sponsors for establishing the Cup and for continuing to host the event over the years.
The head of state also took the opportunity to speak up against gender-based violence (GBV) and asked the elderly to continue fulfilling their role in advising the youth.
“This gender-based violence is a problem for us. We must all hold hands to address that evil, so that we can live in a peaceful country,” the President said.
Each old age home and maternity-waiting shelter will receive a television, with each senior citizen also receiving toiletries and food parcels.
Speaking on behalf of the organising committee, Amos Shiyuka thanked Geingob for allowing them to establish the Cup in his honour as a way of celebrating his legacy.
Shiyuka joined Geingob in thanking the sponsors, which include MTC, the Namibian Breweries Limited (NBL), Bank Windhoek and the Namibia Football association for their commitment.
“I’d like to single out Namibian Breweries Limited and MTC for their non-stop commitment for the past seven years. You never hesitated when I knock on your door. Bank Windhoek, we thank you very much,” Shiyuka said.
MTC and NBL each gave N$1,6 million, while Bank Windhoek committed N$250 000.
MTC’s Chief Human Capital Officer, Tim Ekandjo, called for the establishment of a mentorship programme where senior citizens and young people are partnered in order for the young people to draw from the wisdom of the elderly.
The annual tournament was supposed to host its seventh edition this year, but due to the COVID- 19 pandemic, the tournament had to be called off.
While the donation project kicked off in Windhoek, old age homes in Mariental, Keetmanshoop, Luderitz, Gobabis, Okahandja, Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and Outjo are all among those set to benefit.
The team will over the weekend cover the southern towns of Luderitz, Keetmanshoop and Mariental, before heading to Gobabis on Monday and the rest days of the country over the next few days.
