A multi-million-dollar church construction project is expected to kick off during the first week of September in Mariental’s Aimablaagte suburb.
The construction at an estimated cost of N.dollars 6.5 million is expected to be completed during the first week of December 2019.
Half of the project cost was donated by prominent businessman Johannes !Gawaxab and his wife Paulina !Gawaxas.
“The new church building will triple the capacity of our beloved church in Mariental due to the growth of the congregation over the last 80 years,” the businessman said.
! Gawaxab said his decision to make the staggering donation, was driven by his belief that he should plough back into the community where he grew up and where his foundation was laid to achieve what he has achieved in life.
“Whenever we have a big funeral or church service, many people have to stand outside enduring the hot sun under umbrellas. The people later accepted this as normal. They were normalising the abnormal. I decided to change that perception,” !Gawaxab said.
The construction will be done in three phases. Phase one which will be financed from the !Gawaxab couple’s contribution will see the foundation, concrete works, steel frame and roofing completed.
The second phase will comprise of bricklaying, plumbing, carpentry, electrical and finishing works.
The remainder on the construction project is expected to be financed through further donations.
For this purpose, the project team developed a website for project updates and fundraising.
Upcoming fundraising events include a Christmas bake event which will take place in December 2018 and a major fundraising gala dinner planned for 30 March 2019 in Mariental.
The current church building was erected in 1937 making this construction project the first since its establishment.