The One Economy Foundation raised N$3,422,900 at a fundraising dinner celebrating its 10th anniversary, themed "A Decade of Weaving Legacy and Stitching Futures," in Windhoek on Thursday.
One Economy Foundation Head of Operations, Saddam Biwa, announced the total amount raised at the event.
“We take this moment to announce the total for the night, the seeds you’ve sown for the night, as well as for One Economy, the Be Free Youth Campus, and the Be Free Movement collectively – N$3,422,900. Thank you for being partners with us and continuing this journey with us,” said Biwa.
The top seven corporate pledgers were FirstRand Foundation, Novanam Foundation, Capricorn Foundation, Debmarine Foundation, China Town Prop, Standard Bank, and B2Gold.
The institution has raised N$100 million over the past 10 years, former First Lady and Executive Chairperson of the foundation, Monica Geingos, said while delivering her keynote address at the 10th anniversary celebration of the One Economy Foundation.
“What you’ve also done, as we think back on 10 years, is that in 10 years we’ve raised N$100 million. So, where did that go? More than half of that went into bricks and mortar; it went into equipment. It went into the things that otherwise could not have been done. If it’s possible for you to come to the campus and see it, you’ll know what I’m talking about,” Geingos said.
Geingos stressed that most of the money the foundation received went to young people and that the foundation could account for every single dollar.
“We have unqualified audited opinions. For many of you, that doesn’t mean much, but for us as a non-profit, there’s always a challenge of revenue recognition as a non-profit,” she said.
Geingos mentioned that she will not be returning to the private sector, and that in the decade ahead, she plans to focus on priority areas such as setting up the Hage Geingob Presidential Library with the assistance of former Speaker of the National Assembly, Prof Peter Katjavivi.
“I am a coach, not a player. We cannot all be players. There are things that once you see them, you can’t unsee them, and you feel compelled to stay. So, I’ll always be part of the One Economy Foundation for as long as you’ll have me.”