Meatco's Technical Advisor, Paul Tjaimba engaging the community members before the launch of the drilling ceremony.

Drilling process in progress.

Chief Stephanus Gariseb, of the Goreses Community.

On 25 June 2021, Meatco Foundation, with the backing of UNIL (Norwegian Group), launched the drilling of a new borehole at Goreses.

The initiative is a response to the community’s request for financial support from Meatco Foundation, including the facilitation of the drilling process and installation of accessories to complete the borehole, ensuring that the community, especially the livestock farmers, get adequate water supply.

Goreses is situated about 27km north-east of Otjinene in Omaheke region.

The Foundation’s Executive: Officer, Kuniberth Shamathe, remarked that he is pleased that the Foundation could contribute to improving the livelihoods of rural communities and is looking forward to supporting other communities with similar initiatives.

“I feel happy about the borehole that is being drilled for us. This project will reduce quarrelling between community members over access to available water. Through the years, we have struggled a lot, as we were unable to help ourselves and had to take animals to other farms for water. We will really benefit, as this borehole will cater to at least 15 households, animals and gardening projects.

“I am the chief since 1993, my community has really shown their appreciation because it’s the first time we have really received such big assistance,” Chief Stephanus Gariseb, of the Goreses community, said.

“I am Albertus Gomochab, I and the entire community feel particularly good. The assistance of Meatco, through the drilling of a new borehole, is a good initiative. The people also feel at ease already because of the suffering throughout the years. Animal numbers are increasing, and more inhabitants are also coming looking for farming opportunities daily. Therefore, we really feel privileged because we have operated with only one borehole for all these years and the waterpoint committee was also worried that the current borehole might run dry. We have more than 100 households, with more than 500 head of animals. So, getting the second borehole will enable us to split the animals between the two boreholes,” said Gomochab.

The Meatco Foundation is Meatco’s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) wing that supports individuals and farmers’ organisations to improve their plight of farming, especially in communal areas, focusing on the livestock sector. It provides technical support, business plan developments, facilitating financial support by means of donors and implementing support projects as well as farming interventions, among others.