Namibia to host first CSI Mukopano

MTC Namibia, the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation, FNB Namibia and the Capricorn Foundation have launched the country's inaugural CSI Mukopano, a platform bringing together organisations committed to corporate social investment and sustainable development, scheduled for 11 August 2026.

Mukopano, a Silozi word meaning a gathering of minds and stakeholders, reflects the event's purpose of fostering collaboration, knowledge-sharing and collective impact, the organisers said.

The inaugural gathering will bring together corporate leaders, development partners, entrepreneurs, educators, policymakers and social impact champions to share ideas and strengthen partnerships. It will feature panel discussions, keynote addresses, networking opportunities and collaborative sessions focused on education, entrepreneurship, youth empowerment, sustainability, innovation and partnerships, with the aim of encouraging more coordinated and impactful social investment.

The partnership reflects a shared commitment to empowering individuals through intentional and inclusive socio-economic initiatives aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, the organisers said.

The event is expected to become an annual gathering for social investment leaders and stakeholders across Namibia.

Tim Ekandjo, MTC's chief brand, marketing, communications and sustainability officer, said corporate citizens had a role to play in helping the country grow. "The Namibia CSI Mukopano is about working together, sharing knowledge and taking action. By bringing together organisations committed to social impact, we can strengthen our collective efforts and create lasting solutions for communities across Namibia," he said.

Marlize Horn, executive director of the Capricorn Foundation and group chief brand and corporate affairs officer of Capricorn Group, said collaboration was a catalyst for positive change. "Social investment has greater impact when it is coordinated, aligned with national priorities and informed by the realities of the communities we serve. This Mukopano gives us an opportunity to move from parallel efforts to shared purpose, and from individual projects to collective impact," she said.

Horn thanked MTC for creating a space where corporates, foundations, beneficiaries and development partners could connect ideas with opportunities, share lessons and explore practical ways to improve collective social investment.

Revonia Job, sponsorship and social impact manager at FirstRand Namibia, said Mukopano spoke directly to how FirstRand Namibia believed meaningful social impact should be achieved. "As a group, we recognise that no single organisation can address Namibia's social and developmental challenges alone. Sustainable change requires the private sector, public sector, civil society and communities to come together around shared priorities, combine resources and expertise, and build solutions that can last beyond once-off interventions," she said.

Job added that the Mukopano provided an important platform to move beyond fragmented corporate social investment efforts by encouraging collaboration, reducing duplication and enabling organisations to collectively deliver greater, measurable and lasting impact.

Immanuel Shilongo, project and compliance manager at the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation, said being part of the Mukopano was about turning good intentions into meaningful action. "The challenges we face are interconnected, which means our solutions must be too. Through partnership and collaboration, every contribution, big or small, has the potential to create lasting changes in the lives of the people and communities we serve," he said.