Maria David
AN AMOUNT of over N$670,000 was raised during the Tsumeb Copper Festival breakfast meeting held in the town on Friday.
Sinomine Tsumeb Smelter, as the main sponsor, pledged N$200,000, followed by the Tsumeb Municipality with N$150,000 and Standard Bank with N$100,000.
The Copper Festival is planned for 30 October – 02 November 2024, and is being held under the theme: “Celebrating Craftsmanship, Creativity, and Excellence in a Diverse Namibia.”
Deputy Minister of Industrialisation, Trade and SME Development, Verna Sinimbo, said that the Tsumeb Copper Festival serves as a platform to showcase not just traditional crafts, but also the spirit of innovation that characterizes their diverse nation.
According to Sinimbo, they must encourage and invest in their creative minds — their artists, designers, and entrepreneurs.
“By fostering an environment where creativity thrives, we can unlock new possibilities for economic growth and sustainable development,” she said.
She added that they should also aim to inspire their youth to dream big and to pursue their passions, knowing that their creativity can lead to transformative change.
She stressed that in the pursuit of excellence, they must create inclusive spaces where all individuals, regardless of their background, can contribute to and benefit from economic development. By embracing diversity, they not only create a more equitable society but also enhance their ability to innovate and compete on the global stage.
On his part, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sinomine Tsumeb Smelter, Logan Lou, indicated that they embrace craftsmanship, creativity, and diversity at Sinomine.
According to Lou, they cannot achieve all of this if they don’t promote diversity. By promoting an inclusive workplace with diverse cultures that value different perspectives, they believe they can drive better business outcomes.
“I hope all exhibitors will use the opportunity to showcase their craftsmanship, creativity, and excellence while meeting business objectives,” he said.
As a company, they pledged N$200,000 towards the successful hosting of the town’s festival. Of the funds, N$120,000 was from Sinomine’s Sustainability Committee and N$80,000 was from Sinomine Tsumeb’s Community Trust.
