Rössing Uranium has marked its golden jubilee by investing N$37 million in a new science exhibition hall and upgraded digital technology hub in Ondangwa, reinforcing the mining company’s long-standing commitment to education, innovation and human capital development as part of its environmental, social and governance (ESG) agenda.
The facilities, officially inaugurated on Wednesday by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, comprise the Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah Science Exhibition Hall and the upgraded Rössing Foundation Ondangwa Digital Technology Hub.
Together, they are expected to strengthen science education, digital literacy and innovation among young Namibians while positioning the Oshana Region as an emerging centre for science exhibitions, research and technology-driven learning.
The investment forms part of the Rössing Foundation’s broader contribution to Namibia’s socio-economic development, a legacy that spans more than four decades through programmes in adult literacy, mathematics and science education, agriculture, small-scale mining, entrepreneurship and community development.
Speaking at the inauguration, Nandi-Ndaitwah said the foundation had transformed countless lives since its establishment and described the opening of the new science centre as another milestone in Namibia’s development.
“Since its establishment, the Rössing Foundation, among others, has contributed significantly to the human capital development in Namibia to the extent that it has touched and transformed countless lives.
Its pioneering work in adult literacy, science, mathematics, agriculture, small-scale mining and community development has contributed significantly to national development.
The opening of this Science Centre today is another landmark in the right direction,” she said.
The President said the facilities had been completed at an important moment in Namibia’s development as the government intensifies efforts to build a knowledge-based economy driven by science, technology and innovation.
She said the country could no longer rely solely on imported technologies but must develop its own innovators capable of solving local challenges while contributing to global technological advancement.
“As Namibians, we cannot afford to be mere consumers of technology developed elsewhere. We must become creators, innovators, and producers of knowledge. We must empower our young people to develop solutions that respond to our own challenges while contributing to global progress,” she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah noted that the upgraded facility arrives at a time when artificial intelligence, automation, and digital technologies are rapidly transforming economies worldwide, making investment in science education increasingly important.
She said facilities such as the new science exhibition hall and digital technology hub would prepare young Namibians to become innovators, problem-solvers and leaders capable of driving the country’s industrialisation agenda.
The President revealed that Rössing Uranium had invested N$37 million in upgrading and transforming the facility, describing the expenditure as a clear demonstration of the company’s commitment to Namibia’s development agenda.
“By investing in people, Rössing Uranium Limited has contributed not only to improved livelihoods but also to the creation of a stronger foundation for sustainable economic development. I understand that an amount of N$37 million is invested in the upgrading and transforming of this facility. That is a clear demonstration of the Rössing Foundation’s commitment to Namibia’s development agenda,” she said.
According to the President, the upgraded Digital Technology Hub represents another important milestone in Namibia’s transition towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution by providing young people and surrounding communities with access to modern digital technologies and learning resources.
She said the investment would help bridge the digital divide, strengthen scientific infrastructure, stimulate innovation, and support the Human Development and Community Resilience Pillar of the Sixth National Development Plan, while contributing to economic competitiveness and long-term growth.
Beyond its educational value, the President said the facility would also contribute to regional development by creating a venue capable of hosting conferences, academic exchanges, exhibitions and innovation-focused events, positioning Oshana as a destination for knowledge-based activities.
She said the project demonstrated what could be achieved when government, the private sector and development partners worked together towards shared national objectives, while urging more companies to embrace meaningful corporate social responsibility that goes beyond compliance and directly contributes to community development and economic transformation.
Nandi-Ndaitwah also used the occasion to reaffirm the government’s commitment to education, highlighting the decision to fully subsidise registration and tuition fees for qualifying students at public universities and vocational education institutions as part of efforts to develop the skilled workforce required for Namibia’s future economy.
Congratulating Rössing Uranium on its 50th anniversary, she said the company’s golden jubilee reflected a proud legacy of partnership, commitment and impact that had helped shape the lives of generations of Namibians.
“The true value of this facility will be measured by the young minds it inspires, the innovations it produces, and the opportunities it creates for generations to come,” she said before officially inaugurating the Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah Science Exhibition Hall and the Ondangwa Digital Technology Hub.
