Community Engagement
BANNERMAN ENERGY | APRIL 2025
HELPING TO BUILD THE FUTURE
OF NAMIBIA
ne Economy Foundation (OEF) is
committed to nurturing young Namibians
and providing them with the tools, opportunities
and resources they need to reach their full
potential. Bannerman supports this initiative to
build Namibia’s future talent and visited OEF’s
#BeFree Youth Campus in the Katatura District of
Windhoek earlier this year.
The campus boasts world-class facilities
including the #BeFree Cares Clinic, which offers
accessible and holistic sexual reproductive
health services in an environment that values
confidentiality, and that is neither intimidating
nor judgmental. It’s a place where young people
will feel comfortable and respected.
DOWN-TO-EARTH EDUCATION
an you see the world in a grain of sand?* During an end-of-year school trip to Goanikontes, an area
rich in geographical material, a team from BMRN showed a group of Grade 8 learners from MYO
how interconnected we are with our surroundings.
Exploration manager Tinus Prinsloo gave the young learners insight into the geomorphology of
the region and, together with Commercial and Administration Manager Waltraud van Wyk, gave an
introduction to mapwork. “The MYO learners showed a deep curiosity and we were amazed by the
intelligent questions they asked as well as their demonstrated knowledge,” says Tinus.
*Apologies to William Blake who actually said: “To see a World in a Grain of Sand And a Heaven in a Wild Flower...”
MYO UPDATE
ntil 2024, MYO provided a secure and
supportive environment for 120 students from
grades 4 to 8. Because the demand for enrolment
exceeded its capacity, MYO established an
extra support class – MYOplus (grade 4) – for an
additional 24 learners. The total number of MYO
students now stands at 144 learners.
Bannerman Energy’s Emma Culver visited MYO
on her recent trip to Namibia. She was incredibly
inspired by how dedicated the students of MYO
are to their learning. “Every time I visit MYO I am
reminded of the importance of the work they
are doing and the opportunity it provides to the
children in the Mondesa district,” she says.
Exploration manager Tinus Prinsloo gave learners
a ‘feel of the land’ with some geological samples.
RIP: FOUNDING PRESIDENT
hamber of Mines Namibia paid its respects
to the late founding president of Namibia,
H.E. Dr Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma, who passed
away at the age of 95 on the 8th of February
2025. President of the Chamber, Zebra Kasete,
and council members, which included BMRN
MD, Werner Ewald, expressed their sympathy at
President Nujoma’s family home.
A Training Hub on the Campus is in its final
stages, with construction due to be completed
towards the end of 2025.
The hub will offer a place for #BeFree to
host events, workshops, training courses and
mentorships.
The Bannerman visit to the #BeFree Youth Campus
included (from left) Emma Culver, Bannerman
Energy’s Investor Relations and Communications
Manager, Uajorokisa Akwenye, CEO of OEF, Werner
Ewald, MD of Bannerman Mining Resources Namibia
(BMRN), and Matjiua Hengua, Senior Stakeholder
Relations Advisor at BMRN.
Employee profiles
24 HOURS,
401KM
A DASH ACROSS THE WORLD’S OLDEST DESERT
erner Ewald, MD of BMRN, doesn’t know about slow. He and his ‘fatbike team’ once again
participated in the Nedbank Desert Dash, the world’s longest single-stage mountain bike race.
They finished 35th out of 114 teams. They were also the only team to do the race on fatbikes. While
fatbikes are heavier and harder to pedal than mountain bikes, they are great for soft, unstable terrain
such as sand. Well done to Werner, Mark de Wet, Divan Mostert and Dr Jasper Lochner for their
competitive placing.
SEARCHING FOR OMAJOVA
very year Namibians go in search of
Omajova, edible mushrooms that only reveal
themselves between January and March. They
also grow only on termite hills and when Namibia
has received good rains. It is an annual tradition
for Werner Ewald and his family to search for
Omajova.
This year Werner missed his family trip as he
was accompanying investors on their visit to the
Etango Uranium Project.
But he was determined to find this wild delicacy.
Together with colleagues Gavin Chamberlain
and Emma Culver they set out on a four-hour
drive during which they found … nothing.
Ten metres before the turnoff to their next
destination a giant termite hill covered with
Omajova presented itself!
A FRIEND FROM DOWN
UNDER
Emma Culver, Bannerman Energy’s Investor
Relations and Communications Manager,
recently travelled to South Africa and Namibia.
She had a great time catching up with her
colleagues.
...with Jamie Peterson, PA to CEO Gavin Chamberlain.
...with Andrea Leech, graphic designer.
...with Vera and Mike Leech, retired Board member.
Werner Ewald, Emma Culver and Gavin
Chamberlain with the elusive Omajova they
found after a four-hour search.
Three of the four-man team competing in the Desert Dash on fatbikes are (from left) Divan Mostert, Werner
Ewald and Mark de Wet.