STAFF REPORT

Six companies that will officially carry the title of founding sponsors for the Team Namibia website that closed Friday afternoon.

The successful six who pledged N$475 000 towards the campaign, were placed in three categories I) Namibian companies: Bank Windhoek and Ohlthaver and List ii) Parastatals: Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) and Telecom iii) International companies: First National Bank (FNB) and Namdeb.

The money pledged by the six will be used to fund the start-up cost of the Team Namibia initiative, which will include promoting the “Naturally Namibian” product and service brand to the local and international communalities.

Team Namibia, which was launched in March by President Sam Nujoma, is a development to create a sense of pride among Namibians as well as to market the country.

A statement released by the Team Namibia steering committee said Team Namibia would now actively promote these companies’ names and logo’s on its website, stationery and all official publications such as media releases and promotional material for a period of at least three years. In turn, the companies would also be entitled to mention their status on their company stationary and promotional material.

The membership fees of the six founding sponsors will, for the first year, be covered by their bid as founding sponsors.

“Team Namibia set the standard in one of the electronic bidding processes in Namibian history where Namibian companies competed for the prestigious title of founding sponsors.

“Amidst lots of enthusiasm on some fierce competition towards closing time for bidding, the Team Namibia steering committee was pleased with the outcome of the process.” read the statement.

According to Team Namibia, there is still opportunity for the other companies that wish to qualify for the title of founding members. Qualifying companies or business that register for membership before June 11 2004 will be accredited as such.