Partnering for Progress: RPZ engages with Keetmanshoop Municipality
RPZ hosted a delegation from the Keetmanshoop Municipality, led by His Worship the Mayor, Emrico Blaauw, together with Council members and leadership from two of the region's leading vocational training institutions, the Namibia Institute of Mining and Technology (NIMT) and the Keetmanshoop Vocational Training Centre (VTC).
The engagement explored a proposed Memorandum of Understanding to formalise a collaborative partnership between RPZ and the Municipality, centred on:
Structured internship opportunities for NIMT students at the mine, giving them practical workplace exposure and hands-on skills development
Donation of decommissioned mine equipment to the VTC, coordinated through the Office of the Mayor, to strengthen the region's technical and vocational training capacity
The delegation was welcomed by General Manager Francisco Ballesteros, supported by the CSE Manager, the HR Manager, and the Head of Organisational Effectiveness, who shared an overview of RPZ's existing human capital development pipeline, including graduate internship programmes, PITs, and bursary schemes, which already extend support to training institutions across the region.
In turn, the Mayor and his delegation highlighted NIMT's specialised trade programmes: Electrical, Fitter and Turner, Bricklaying, Boilermaking and Welding, designed to equip young Namibians with practical, in-demand skills and connect them to real industry exposure during and after their training. Both parties left the engagement aligned on the road ahead, agreeing on clear next steps and timelines to bring this partnership to life.
We will be driving this process as it's a tangible step toward closing the gap between classroom learning and workplace readiness, building a pipeline of skilled, industry-ready youth, and deepening our role as a committed partner in the social and economic development of the //Kharas Region. Sustainable Beyond Mining means investing in people as much as in production, and partnerships like this one bring that commitment to life.
