The Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group last week empowered two driving schools in Windhoek with new vehicles, in line with its commitment to road safety in Namibia. The Jerry’s Driving School and the Supreme Driving School each received a brand new fully equipped vehicle from O&L.
Officially handing over the vehicles was the O&L Group Manager: Corporate Relations, Patricia Hoeksema: “In bringing the O&L purpose, ‘creating a future, enhancing life’ to life, critical areas of focus in our corporate social investment programme have been education, health and safety, and caring for the general wellbeing of our people. The O&L Group has taken a lead in promoting road safety over many years, being a founder member of the Private Sector Road Safety Forum (PSRSF) and through Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL) – a subsidiary of the O&L Group – actively combatting drinking and driving through various initiatives. With the continuous high incidents of road crashes, we believe more needs to be done to ensure safer roads, and we believe focusing on driver training and awareness is a good start. This is why we have partnered with two driving schools which share our commitment in creating safer roads. In return for using a vehicle sponsored by O&L to conduct their business of driver training, they will also provide free driver training to a group of beneficiaries who cannot afford such training. The beneficiaries are identified by O&L in collaboration with some of our social partners like MSR.”
Owner of Jerry’s Driving School, Jerry Haihambo says this aid from the O&L Group will contribute significantly to the output of the school. Haihambo: “I have never heard of a corporate that reached out to assisting a driving school. This is something completely new to me, and very inspiring. This support will make a big difference, and will go a long way on the journey of Jerry’s Driving School. Thank you O&L.
Supreme Driving School owner, Isabell Louw says the value add is tremendous. Louw: “This support by the O&L Group is not only to that of Supreme Driving School itself, but in the broader spectrum will benefit so many people. I am grateful that the O&L Group goes to such lengths to make a difference on the roads of Namibia.”
According to Hoeksema, this new initiative is regarded as a trial, “but we are confident it is the start of a long term mutually beneficial relationship whereby we can together help put many more safe drivers on our roads. All too often we hear that our roads are unsafe, but what is not spoken about enough is the responsibility of vehicle drivers, and it is our hope that a greater awareness will be created amongst drivers so that they realize the immense responsibility that comes with getting behind the wheel of a car.”
