Rössing Uranium on Monday handed over an upgraded Walvis Bay children’s traffic facility, valued at N$430 000.
The mine collaborated with the Namibia Institute of Mining and Technology (Nimt), Walvis Bay Municipality and Kneumeyer Namibia to renovate the facility, situated next to the municipal buildings.
The step forms part of the mines Bigger-Than-Me programme that benefits communities in which the mine operates.
Rössing Uranium’s corporate communication manager Daylight Ekandjo noted that the facility will help to raise road safety awareness among children and promote courteous driving, while enhancing the right mindset for road users.
“With our 2024 Bigger-Than-Me project, we have invested in raising road awareness among our children; we have supported Nimt in getting the needed practical experience for their apprentices – in the process providing a platform on which these apprentices become multi-skilled. While alongside the municipality, we supported the maintenance of infrastructure, because we will all benefit from the outcome of these areas of support.
“Safety, more specifically road safety, is a non-negotiable value at Rössing Uranium. We do not always get it 100% right, but we never waver in providing visible leadership to continuously build on a supportive safety culture,” said Ekandjo.
The mine has over the years embarked on various community-based initiatives at Walvis Bay, including working with the traffic division to have the Roads Authority install the rumble strips at the Walvis Bay entrance from Swakopmund. It also spearheaded an initiative in 2020 to install Stimsonite road studs to the turn-off at Arandis, from the direction of Swakopmund, to aid with visibility in adverse weather conditions.
The mine, which is a member of the Erongo Regional Road Safety Forum, supports the West Coast Safety Initiative.
Walvis Bay deputy mayor Sara Mutondoka noted that the revamping of the facility would provide children with essential education in traffic rules and road safety.
“It is vital that we equip them with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate our roads safely, as they are not just future pedestrians and cyclists, but future drivers too.
“Having access to well-designed traffic education facilities allows children to learn in a safe environment, where they can practise real-life scenarios and understand the importance of road safety. This early engagement fosters a culture of safety that, we hope, will extend well into their lives. By educating our children about traffic rules from an early age, we are instilling in them the values of caution, awareness and responsibility on the roads,” Mutondoka said.
The donation also includes wire cars that will be used by pupils during lessons.
The outdoor traffic facility was established in 2015 to equip children of the town with traffic education in a fun way.
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