The Minister of Economy, Science and Digital Society of the German Free State of Thuringia, Wolfgang Tiefensee, visited Namibia on 4 February. He was accompanied by a delegation of representatives of Thuringian companies and academic institutions. The main objective was to attend the opening ceremony of the PolyCare production facility in Brakwater. The modular assembly system was developed as a concept for simple housing solutions and is considered low-cost, strong, durable and environmentally friendly with reusable concrete blocks mainly consisting of sand.

Minister Tiefensee lauded the efforts by Polycare’s CEO Dr Gerald Dust and his Namibian partners in starting production in Namibia and described this German-Namibian co-operation to jointly fight against the shortage in housing as outstanding. The ceremony was also honoured by the presence of Namibian Vice President Nangolo Mbumba, the Minister for Industrialisation, Trade and SME Development Tjekero Tweya and the Governor of the Khomas Region Laura McLeod-Katjirua.

In the afternoon, Minister Tiefensee held talks with the Minister for Urban and Rural Development, Peya Mushelenga, with the Deputy Minister for Industrialisation, Trade and SME Development, Lucia Iipumbu, and the Minister of Higher Education, Training and Innovation, Dr Itah Kandji-Murangi. In the meetings Minister Tiefensee presented the opportunities for joint business and training projects between Thuringia and Namibia and offered further co-operation in that field.

The business and academic delegation will stay in Namibia until Thursday and will have meetings with NUST, UNAM and NTA as well as visit companies in Windhoek and Walvis Bay.

Background information:

PolyCare Research Technology Ltd. was founded in Thuringia/Germany in 2010 and developed a modular brick assembly system as a concept for simple housing solutions during humanitarian crisis as well as for permanent shelter. The new production facility in Windhoek is expected to produce building blocks for affordable houses in order to tackle the housing shortage and to create local jobs.