Former Otjiwarongo Mayor Moderatha Shaduka is turning a family house in the town’s Orwetoveni area into a charity house, a project she plans to open around April 2025.
This initiative, named in honour of her late father Lukas Shaduka, a founding member of the Ovamboland People’s Organization (OPO), which later became SWAPO, will provide shelter for the less fortunate. Shaduka said she is committed to improving the lives of disadvantaged individuals, including the marginalized Ovazemba community and children from the Osire refugee settlement.
Shaduka’s passion for charity began at the age of 15 when she cared for her younger siblings. “Even if I had a 10 dollar at school, I shared it with others,” she recalled. “And during holidays I would work at the school and clean the girl’s hostel.” This early experience solidified her commitment to helping others, a commitment that continued through her career as a compassionate teacher.
Her charitable work extends to sponsoring the education of 17 Ovazemba children living near the Otjiwarongo military base. She shared how the children stayed at her home before their first day of school, as she prepared them. While their parents were amazed by her hospitality, Shaduka now faces challenges in providing the children with necessities like stationery, shoes, and daily transport to school, a 7km journey from Otjiwarongo to Okahandja Road. She remains hopeful that “good Samaritans will come to assist.”
Shaduka also utilizes a WhatsApp donation group where members contribute N$50 each. This transparent system, where every contribution is shared within the group, fosters trust and encourages further participation in her mission of giving. “Nothing brings us more joy than making others happy through acts of kindness,” Shaduka explained. “Charity has always been our passion and God-given gift that we cherish.”
