Introduction from the MD

Hans-Wilhelm Schütte (Managing Director)

Ohorongo Cement (Pty) Ltd. is one of Africa’s most modern cement plants, located in Namibia, near otavi.

No efforts and expenses have been spared in implementing the best available technology, in order to ensure the least impact on the natural environment, and to create and maintain a safe and healthy working situation.

However, the best plant in the world is only worth as much as the skills of the people running its operations. To ensure the production of an economically viable and internationally competitive product, Ohorongo aims to attract the best personnel, people who are interested in a long-term relationship with the company and who are willing to dedicate themselves fully to their work and roles in their teams.

Even though Ohorongo Cement had to establish itself in a brand-new industry in Namibia, it is satisfying to see what giant steps the company has taken since its inception. It took a lot of focus, hard work and challenges, to get to where we are today.

However, as one of the most modern plants in the world, we are only worth as much as the skills of the people running the operations.

Lately, the company saw some positive career movement amongst at the executive management level. A sign that at Ohorongo Cement we are not shy to impart knowledge and transfer skills, and that promotion is possible within the company, even at senior level. I would particular like to congratulate Estelle Alberts, who made history as being the first woman and the youngest person to occupy the position of Plant Manager, in Ohorongo Cement and the Schwenk Group of Companies. Additionally the company also appointed its first Namibian, cement Quality Assurance Manager, Sililo Motsamai.

William Clay Ford, Jr. once said “Manufacturing still has the greatest multiplier effect, in terms of job creation, of any sector of the economy.”

Ohorongo Cement prides itself in doing so, for Namibian and its future.

Despite, the trying economic condition in the country, Ohorongo Cement remains optimistic about the future, hence we continue to commit to further invest in projects, such as the newly established Ondangwa Depot and the construction of the 5MW Solar PV plant which is currently in progress, to make sure that we are well positioned for the future.

Ohorongo Cement is one of the very few companies in Southern Africa that received its environmental certification according to the revised 2015 standards. The Company successfully received its ISO 14001: 2015 certification, which confirms its continued commitment towards sustainability and caring for the environment. Furthermore, the company is in compliance with all its licenses with Namibia’s Environmental Management Act of 2007 while the environmental impact assessment processes for all the projects was completed.

We are mindful of the huge infrastructure challenges that the Namibia is facing, and Ohorongo Cement continues to honor its commitment to social responsibilities activities countrywide. Through the Ohorongo Otavi Community Trust, the company donated over 3000 bags of cement to the Ministry of Education. The donation went toward the renovation of class rooms, the construction of additional classrooms, ablution and cooking facilities. Additionally the company in collaboration with FNB Namibia and the Pupkewitz Foundation has also committed N$3 mio annually (from 2017 to 2018) towards housing delivery for low-income Namibians through the Shackdwellers Federation of Namibia. Together with the Support Ulm e.V. Group, a non-profit organization based in the German town Ulm, Ohorongo Cement continue to commit to the improvement of the quality of public healthcare.

Not only is the company committed to support government efforts aimed at poverty eradication, it also take care of its own employees, who are its most valuable assets. Ohorongo Cement embarked on a three year N$9milion dollar Employee Housing Project to assist its employees, to build houses of their own.

Safety remains our number one priority and the ultimate goal is Zero Harm, which is extended to all stakeholders and the environment in which the company operates. Our motto remains: "One injury is one too many, and one fatality is one too many".

Strategically, the company continues to investigate new technologies to support the short, medium and long-term capacity expansion, product differentiation, increased flexibility, reduced risks and the supply of all cementation products.

Innovation is high on the company’s agenda, with new endeavours to replace up to 80% of the imported fossil fuels with alternative fuels by 2019. Since its commissioning in 2011 through consumption of wood chips, charcoal fines, and Refuse Derived Fuels, Ohorongo Cement has taken the lead in Africa in this department, without compromising the product quality.

We are truly ‘CEMENTING TRUST, BUILDING FUTURES’ on this solid foundation, manufacturing & selling a 100% Namibian product of international standard, which we are all extremely proud of.

Yours in cement,

Hans-Wilhelm Schütte

Managing Director

Check out Environment and our Staff Housing article.