US Embassy in Namibia Unveils new facility, Cementing Strong Bilateral Ties

By Dilia Mazula

In a grand celebration, the US Embassy in Namibia hosted a media day to unveil its newly constructed building, marking a significant milestone in the robust relationship between the United States and Namibia. The event was led by US Ambassador, Randy Berry and Scott Sables, the Construction Manager for the project, who provided insights into the innovative features and the impact the facility will have on both nations.

Ambassador Randy Berry emphasised the continuity of their mission in Namibia, stating, “Our work here will be identical in many ways to everything that we already do. It’s just going to be better coordinated, more targeted, and safer for our people.” He stressed the embassy’s commitment to public health, inclusive democracy, and improved economic systems.

Berry highlighted the diplomatic institution’s dedication to being a good neighbour and corporate citizen and expressed excitement about the expanded capacity, allowing for enhanced coordination of efforts, not only within the embassy, but also with external partners such as the United Nations system.

Furthermore, Berry underlined the Embassy’s commitment to skills transfer and learning, ensuring that the local workforce gains valuable experience, stating that the success of training programs for workers on the construction site, has led to opportunities for lifelong employment and even international consulting roles for some.

He also highlighted the embassy’s outreach programs, especially those aimed at engaging with young Namibians.

He emphasised the Embassy’s commitment to being a good neighbour and corporate citizen, mentioning engagement with local students “through the really innovative welcoming of NUST and UNAM students onto site, we wanted to make sure that we were sharing what we are learning.” he said.

The new facility will serve as a hub for various exchange programs, reinforcing the Embassy’s commitment to fostering collaboration and understanding.

Scott Sables, Construction Manager at the new embassy compound, provided insights into the facility’s design and environmentally sustainable features.

Sables emphasised the significance of the building’s design process, stating, “This is a great representation of how we began the design process and what we wanted to accentuate as part of the building process.” He highlighted the integration of Windhoek’s scenic landscape into the building’s focal points, such as the red zone funnelling into the dining area and the green roof area offering staffers panoramic views of the valley.

Sables provided a comprehensive overview of the architectural journey of the embassy building, sharing visuals that showcased the transformation from the initial stages to the present. Expressing pride in the accomplishment of the design goals, he affirmed, “We hit the mark and were able to provide exactly what we had designed for.” This visual journey not only highlighted the evolution of the construction process but also underscored the successful realisation of the embassy’s envisioned design.

Sables highlighted the project’s environmental sustainability commitment, saying, “We are using UV solar panels, water-efficient systems, and re-introducing native plants.” Proudly, he announced, “The facility aims to achieve LEED Silver certification, a first for Namibia.”

He emphasized the economic impact on Namibia, saying, “We’ve invested approximately US$ 17 million or N$ 310,000,000 into the Namibian economy with the construction of this new compound.” He highlighted the social responsibility aspect, including financial training for workers, and the employment of 2000 Namibians, including 200 women for the construction of the building.

The media day set the stage for the official ribbon-cutting event scheduled for December 7, 2023, with Ambassador Rand Berry likening it to a “party” to celebrate the completion of the state-of-the-art facility.

The Embassy plans to be fully operational in its new location by the end of January, marking a new chapter in US-Namibia relations.