Visit of His Excellency President Rupiah Banda and Honourable john mutorwa, Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry to Neudamm Campus

• STEPHEN BARRION

The President of the Republic of Zambia, His Excellency Mr. Rupiah Banda visited the Neudamm Campus of the University of Namibia on 23 June 2010. President Banda was the second foreign Head of State to visit the campus; the President of Burundi, His Excellency, Mr. Pierre Nkurunziza being the first. He was in the country on an official state visit upon invitation from the President of Namibia, His Excellency Hifikepunye Pohamba, extended to him during the Namibian Presidential inauguration this year.  The president was accompanied by Namibia’s Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, Honourable Minister John Mutorwa and several Zambian ministers.

The Zambian Head of State and his entourage were received by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lazarus Hangula, the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Martin Schneider and staff members and students, some of whom are from Zambia. In his welcoming speech, Prof. Hangula highlighted the historical and standing ties between Namibia and Zambia. He mentioned that there is a steady increase of students from Zambia with the official number at 650 Zamibian students studying at the University of Namibia, with eight students studying Agriculture.  The Executive Dean of the Faculty, Dr. Schneider gave an overview of the Faculty’s academic programme and farming activities, which was followed by remarks by President Banda.  The Zambian President expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to visit Neudamm Campus, where Afrikaner cattle stud breeding, commercial livestock production (sheep, goats, cattle, pigs) and game farming are major activities. Of particular interest is how the University of Namibia integrates its research into livestock production and outreach activities which improve rural development and community livelihoods. He stressed on the need for collaboration and partnership between higher institutions of learning from both countries. He applauded the services rendered by Zambian lecturers at the University.

President Banda and his entourage accompanied by the Faculty Management team were given a tour of the Animal Science department, the dairy production unit, small and large stock sections and the piggery. The President was presented with various farm produce from Neudamm farm and rice from the Kalimbeza Project.

Dr. Schneider (the Executive Dean - Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources) giving an overview of the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources	H.E. President Rupiah Banda and Honourable John Mutorwa, Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry listening to the speeches being delivered
Prof. Lazarus Hangula (the Vice Chancellor of the University of Namibia) and H.E. President Banda enjoying the proceedings	H.E. President Banda receiving farm products processed at Neudamm Campus
Dr. P.G. Bille (Senior Lecturer - Department of Food Science and Technology) giving the president a tour of the Dairy Unit Section	Staff at the dairy showing the dairy produce manufactured at Neudamm Campus
Visit to the large stock section	Mr. Edmund Beukes (Farm Administrator) showing Karakul pelts to the president
Visit to the small stock section	H.E. the President and Mr Edmund Beukes at the Piggery
H.E. President Rupiah Banda greeting staff members from the Animal Science Department	H.E. President Banda and Prof. Luke Kanyomeka (Deputy Dean - Ogongo Campus) shaking hands and having a conversation
H.E. President Rupiah Banda greeting the SRC of Neudamm Campus