Businessman donates N$1 million to church

NORTHERN Namibia businessman Benjamin Hauwanga on Sunday donated N$1 million to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (Elcin).

The donation was made at an Elcin ceremony at Hauwanga’s Bennies Entertainment Park and Lodge, at Ongwediva, which was attended church and traditional leaders, as well as Elcin congregants. Hauwanga, who is a member of Elcin and owns Ben Hauwanga Motor Spares and Accesories at Ongwediva, told the gathering he decided to donate the N$1 million to the church because of his faith.’Although I have worked hard to have the wealth I have today, it was not because of me alone, but my Lord my God has supported me with blessings, and it is why I have decided to thank him through His church and other church fellows,’ said Hauwanga. Hauwanga urged other business people to donate to churches.Thanking him for the donation, Elcin General Secretary Reverend Eliakim Shaanika said what Hauwanga and his family have done for the church was unforgettable and that his family and business would be blessed.Shaanika also said that times were tough for churches at the moment because of the economic climate, globally and locally. According to a 2007 church census, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia, which has been in Namibia for 126 years, has more than 673 939 registered members, 124 parishes served by 155 active pastors, 71 deacons and 5 167 voluntary staff, while it has now 56 retired pastors according to the 2007 census.