Ohorongo Cement in collaboration with Build It conducted brick-making training at Katima Mulilo in the Zambezi Region on Thursday.
In a speech read on his behalf, Zambezi Governor Lawrence Sampofu said the training will go a long way in contributing towards a lasting solution to the housing challenge in Namibia.
“Most of the houses in the rural areas of the region are built with clay that disintegrates when it rains. The skills acquired will go a long way in mitigating the impact of such disasters,” the governor said.
He added that the reconstruction of such traditional houses takes up time that could have been used for other beneficial and productive activities.
“Now that you are receiving the skills to build permanent structures, I want to see rural communities use the skills to construct houses that are disaster resilient that will last for generations to come and that do not have to rebuilt every year,” Sampofu said.
He further encouraged the participants to become self-employed so they can make a living from the acquired skills.
Ohorongo earlier said the training is aimed at empowering people by transferring brick-making skills, which will translate into better housing, job creation and economic empowerment.