Dividends of about N$1 million were recently paid to the Topnaar Traditional Authority and the communities of Rundu and Tsumkwe for their share in the Atlantic Sea Products group of companies.
These beneficiaries have been shareholders of the group since independence. A share of 10% is held by the Topnaar Community Foundation through its Aonin Fishing Holdings, while the Rundu/Tsumkwe People’s Foundation holds a 9,6% share through Rundu Fishing Holdings.
The foundations were established to provide a development platform for these communities, using the revenue from fishing concessions to establish viable and sustainable community-based projects.
At a grand occasion at the Pelican Bay hotel in Walvis Bay last week, a total dividend of about N$438 000 was paid to the Topnaar Community Foundation, chaired by Seth Kooitjie, the chief of the Topnaars.
The Rundu/Tsumkwe People’s Foundation received a dividend of N$478 000 through its chairperson, Johanna Kandjimi.
“These statistics prove that the Namibianisation policy of our government for the fisheries sector is successful. The responsibility for companies and trustees is to ensure that communities benefit at grassroots level and on a broad-based basis,” said Hermanus Kasper of Atlantic Sea Products Holdings.
He stressed the importance of good governance and accountability required from the trustees in managing the assets of the foundations, and that transparency and open communication with members of the communities by the trustees were key ingredients to a successful development partnership.
2013 The Namibian