Staff Reporter
THE Denga Epaphras Ndaitwah (DEN) Impact Foundation, established by First Gentleman retired Lieutenant General Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah, has been officially launched with a focus on empowering boys and young men through education, sport, agriculture, vocational training and mentorship.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah witnessed the launch of the foundation at Droombos in Windhoek, alongside Vice President Lucia Witbooi, Prime Minister Dr Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare and several other dignitaries.
First Gentleman retired Lieutenant General Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah paid tribute to Namibia’s former First Ladies, including Madam Kovambo Nujoma, Madam Penehupifo Pohamba, Dr Monica Geingos and Madam Sustjie Mbumba, thanking them for paving the way and laying a strong foundation on which he could build.
The foundation, whose name is derived from Denga Epaphras Ndaitwah, aims to address challenges facing the boy child while contributing to broader social development and nation-building.
Its objectives include fostering discipline, character, resilience and cultural identity, while creating opportunities for boys and young men to develop the skills and confidence needed to participate meaningfully in society.
The foundation’s four key pillars are agriculture, sport, education, and vocational and technical training.
Speaking at the launch, First Gentleman retired Lieutenant General Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah stressed that the foundation’s focus on boys should not be interpreted as being in competition with initiatives supporting girls.
“We stand for the boy child, not in opposition to the girl child, but as a partner in shared progress,” he said.
Ndaitwah said the ultimate objective was to strengthen Namibia’s next generation, with the foundation designed to support both boys and girls through joint interventions, community-based programmes and school outreach.
He said the foundation was established as an independent non-profit organisation to serve as an implementation vehicle for programmes identified through engagements conducted by his office.
Denga also acknowledged the presence of Cabinet ministers and deputy ministers, saying he looked forward to strengthening partnerships as the foundation moves towards the full implementation of its programmes.
The foundation will design, fund, implement, monitor and report on social development programmes in partnership with communities and other stakeholders.
Ndaitwah said the initiative was driven by concerns over the growing educational disparities between boys and girls, as well as wider social challenges affecting young men.
He called on the government, private sector, traditional authorities, churches, parents, teachers and development partners to support the foundation.
“A stronger, more disciplined and better-skilled generation of young Namibians is a direct investment in the future of our workforce, consumer base and the stability of this country,” he said.
Prime Minister Ngurare, who officially launched the foundation, described the initiative as an important national effort to address the challenges facing boys while maintaining progress made in supporting girls.
He said the foundation had the potential to bring together government ministries, private-sector stakeholders, educational institutions and communities.
Ngurare also called on businesses to support the foundation through funding, skills development, infrastructure, mentorship, apprenticeships and employment opportunities.
The foundation’s strategic plan runs from 2026 to 2030.
