Ohorogo Cement made available N$9 million to go towards housing for its employees. The money will help the purchasing of land, and cement contributions for the construction the houses.

The managing director of the company, Hans-Wilhelm Schütte, said that this is the biggest highlight in the whole history of Ohorongo Cement as they created the first of many real and lasting legacies for the welfare of their colleagues. The company is hoping that its action will restore its employees’ human dignity.

The agreement between Ohorongo Cement and the workers’ union is to assist employees in buying land for housing in Otavi and Tsumeb focusing on first-time property owners.

Subject to fund approval and the cost and availability of serviced land, they aim at acquiring 120 erven. Otawi Town Council allocated 30-serviced erven averaging around 375m2 for a cost averaging around N$26,000 in extension 5.

Employees will pay the building materials through loans from financial institutions, while Ohorongo Cement will provide cement for the construction of standard one and two bedroom houses.

The company appointed a building contractor to ensure that the houses are of a good superior quality.

Even though the company is contributing towards the acquisition of the houses, the employees will be the sole owners of the properties as Schütte explained.

During the wage negotiation in 2016, the workers’ union negotiated for assistance towards property ownership for the employees as they felt that increasing housing allowance did not solve the issue of lack of housing.

Martha Shipanga, otavi major, Said that the company’s initiative is a step in the right direction to alleviate poverty. She added that they will make sure families have dignified homes and she hopes that many more employees will have the same opportunity.