Africa-Press – Namibia. The Namibian earlier this week reported that the event brought together 340 guests for a black-tie dinner with several performances, where N$3 million was raised through pledges.
PROJECT Never Walk Alone founder Tim Ekandjo says the N$100 000 paid by some of the chosen top-50 Namibian philanthropists who were last week honoured for their work was voluntary.
The group of 50 philanthropists were honoured for touching lives in a meaningful way at an event called ‘The Great50 Pledge’.
“That is exactly why only 30 of the 50 recipients made the pledge,” Ekandjo says, adding that pledging N$100 000 was not a criterion for being honoured.
He says all 50 individuals were honoured based on merit.
“We know there are many more individuals who deserve this, but this is a good start to lay the foundation for a culture of appreciation,” Ekandjo says.
He says the project is funded by donations and sponsorships and its own fundraising initiatives, which sponsor children with shoes.
Beverley Naris, the marketing and logistics officer of the just-concluded Project Never Walk Alone (PNWA), strongly protested suggestions that the awardees are after fame only.
This came after it emerged that attendees were asked to pledge N$100 000.
In a letter addressed to the pledgers, which The Namibian has seen, Ekandjo writes: “We are pleased to inform you that you have been selected to participate in an exclusive event titled ‘The Great 50 Pledge’ to recognise you as one of the most philanthropic Namibians.
“As part of your participation in this event, we are imploring you to make a personal pledge of N$100 000, alongside 50 other Namibians.”
Naris says: “We have reached out to prominent business people who have contributed to humanity within Namibia, and we celebrated them, but the fundraiser was because they are capable and have the capacity to pledge N$100 000. Some of them pledged.”
The letter further states that the project is hoping to raise N$5 million to assist 20 000 barefooted children across Namibia, “giving them hope and restoring their dignity”.
Some of the recognised awardees, who have confirmed paying the pledge to participate, are former Olympics athlete Frank Fredericks, businessman Wiseman Anyala, former politician Helmut Angula, and National Youth Council (NYC) of Namibia executive chairperson Sharonice Busch.
Busch says she paid her pledge with self-raised funds and not NYC funds.
The payment, she says, was compulsory for the 50 people who were honoured at the event.
“That was non-negotiable for all the identified philanthropists. And everyone had to raise [funds] for this,” she says.
THE EVENT
According to the PNWA organisers, the ‘Great50’ include Namibia’s three presidents and other individuals who promote the spirit of humanity.
The project is said to have launched The Great50 Pledge Magazine, which is available in hard copy and e-format.
Speaking at the opening of the event on Friday, Ekandjo said: “We believe individuals have the power to change the world, and even more so, when we unite for a common cause.
“We want to promote the concept of individual social responsibility that inspires the moral belief that as individuals we have to make decisions that are always in the interest and greater good of society.
“We can assure you that every one of the 50 recipients that we will celebrate tonight have at some point in their lives been criticised or insulted for something they did or did not do. There is only one way to avoid criticism – do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing. But that is not the Namibia and Africa we want to create.”
The Great50 philanthropists are president Hage Geingob, former president Hifikepunye Pohamba, first Namibian president Sam Nujoma, first lady Monica Geingos, former first lady Penehupifo Pohamba, Helmut Angula, Helena Ndume, Quinton van Rooyen, Amos Shiyuka, Frans Indongo, Ingah Ekandjo, Immanuel Mulunga, Johnny Doëseb, Elia Shikongo, Vaino Nghipondoka, Sam Shivute, David Namwandi, Frank Fredericks, Titus Nakuumba, Usko Nghaamwa, Deon Hotto, Philip Hikumwah, Mercia Geises, Martin Inkumbi, Tumi Khumalo, Florian Amulungu, Reagon Graig, Rosalia Martins-Hausiku, Alisa Amupolo, Nico Kaiyamo, Sharonice Busch, Jerry Muadinohamba, Ferdinand Nghiyolwa, Patrick Kauta, Richard Hoff, Penny Endjala, Michelle McLean, Emanuel Sihlahla, Thomas Shilongo, Patty Karuaihe-Martin, Meryl Barry, Wiseman Anyala, Julius Nyamazana, Sisa Namandje, Lazarus Jacobs, Esperance Luvindao, Mavis Elias, Tomas Iindji and David Namalenga.
The 50th philanthropist was the late John Endjala.
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