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Click here to download the Arandis Sustainable Development Brochure The town of Arandis, situated 60 km inland of Swakopmund on the main road to Windhoek, was established in the early 1970s to house employees of Rössing Mine. In 1992, Arandis was handed over to the Namibian Government and is currently managed by the Arandis Town Council. The 2005 Census revealed that the town has about 4 500 residents, but up to 6 000 people is believed to reside in Arandis. Although it depends on mining activities for its survival, Arandis is increasingly striving towards long-term sustainability beyond the lifetime of mining. Rössing Foundation and the Rössing Mine, in partnership with the Arandis Town Council, are committed to assisting the Arandis community on their journey towards socio-economic independence.
The Rössing Foundation has various developmental programmes: 1. Arandis sustainable Development Project
Training and mentorship is given to the Arandis Town Council, including staff and councillors, to build and strengthen their capacity for the efficient and effective administration of Arandis. Focus areas include:
Clean Arandis Zones contain strategically placed bins and skip containers for refuse collection, while zone leaders conduct a community education programme to ensure that residents use the bins provided, dividing their refuse and waste accordingly. Since the introduction of the Project, the desert oasis has become known as a garden town, enhancing Arandis' image with visitors and investors while fostering a sense of pride and ownership among residents. A local entrepreneur is currently exploring the potential of income generation from recyclable materials.
Community Education Zone Leaders welcome the input of residents and feed this into the design of ongoing projects and programmes to improve Arandis.
Youth Skill Development New skills and training also aim to equip out of school youth to become competent, caring and contributing citizens to Arandis and Namibia at large. Following a youth skills assessment undertaken in 2007, a target was set to train 30 youth in a variety of skills during 2008. A series of courses were held, and 31 young Namibians received training in:
Nearly all trainees went on to either become entrepreneurs or gain employment. The Arandis Free to Grow Peer Educator programme was launched and implemented in April 2008 in consultation with community, councillors, schools and youth groups. Fourteen enthusiastic unemployed youth from the Arandis community received Peer Educator training and are now accredited to facilitate the programme. These volunteers work to educate the Arandis community on Life Skills and Family Financial Management, as well as attitudinal changes in increasing financial literacy and management among residents. Between August and December 2008, 533 people received training from Peer Educators.
This initiative builds capacity in existing and new entrepreneurs, while promoting business development and opportunities for investment in Arandis and the Erongo Region. It also aims to encourage business growth and employment creation. To date, 68 Small and Medium entrepreneurs' have received support and mentoring through SME Compete consultancy services. These include manufacturers, retailers, restaurateurs, cleaning services, and steel and construction industries.
Sports and Recreation An annual Arandis Sport Weekend has fostered unity and social cohesion among residents, while many sportsmen and women have won medals at local, regional and national levels, including 20 gold, 21 silver and 30 bronze – 71 medals in all.
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Since 2006, the Rössing Foundation has worked in partnership with the Arandis Town Council and residents to keep the town clean. Eleven democratically elected Zone Leaders spearhead street cleanups every four months, rallying together local residents and schoolchildren to take part in these events.
Elected Zone Leaders are essentially community activators. These volunteers canvass households within their zones, listening to concerns, sharing information and educate residents about local environmental and social issues, including waste management, refuse removal and other issues pertaining to the Clean Arandis campaign, water management, water conservation and vandalism. 
Unemployment among out of school youth is a challenge throughout Namibia. However, The Rössing Foundation and Arandis Town Council are taking active steps to develop skills among this sector, aiming to improve livelihoods, gain employment and kick-start own viable businesses. 
For the sustainable development of Arandis, viable SME's need to flourish. Business Training and mentoring support is therefore essential. 
Through sports, this project aims to build physical well being while strengthening social cohesion in Arandis and the Erongo Region. Nearly 200 residents have become members, taking part in seven supported sport codes, being athletics, tennis, boxing, basketball, volleyball, netball and darts.
