Debmarine Namibiaexperiencedretrenchments and voluntary separations
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“Botshiwe said total direct employment by chamber members declined slightly to 20 798 employees, largely due to retrenchments and voluntary separations at the Sinomine Tsumeb Smelter and Debmarine Namibia.”
Debmarine Namibiasecured revenue from diamonds throughstrategic partnerships maintaining state participation
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“Through partnerships such as Namdeb and Debmarine Namibia, Namibia has maintained strong state participation and secured significant revenue from diamonds.”
“Currently, Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC) is the only NHRA sponsor following the departures of FNB Namibia, Standard Bank Namibia, and Debmarine, which previously invested in the sport.”
Debmarine NamibiasaysNamibia's mitigation strategy for protecting natural diamonds focuses on telling the story of beauty, authenticity and rarity
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“DEBMARINE Namibia says Namibia's mitigation strategy for protecting the natural diamond industry focuses on telling the story of the beauty, authenticity and rarity of natural diamonds.”
Debmarine Namibiahas been official main sponsor forthe past three years
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“Special recognition goes to Debmarine Namibia, the official main sponsor for the past three years, whose significant contribution has elevated the pageant's profile and national impact.”
Debmarine Namibiaunveiledthe national costume ensemble this week
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“The Miss Namibia Organisation, the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) and Debmarine Namibia this week unveiled the ensemble, highlighting its symbolic depth and cultural intention.”
Debmarine Namibiais jointly owned byNamibian government and De Beers diamond mining group
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“Shikongo was the chief executive officer of Debmarine Namibia, which is jointly owned by the Namibian government and the De Beers diamond mining group, from 2004 until his retirement at the end of 2022.”
De Beers CEO Al Cook says the company's sale could be completed within weeks, with governments including Namibia, Botswana and Angola, and industry investors expressing interest in acquiring stakes. Cook envisions the company's future as a public-private partnership combining governments and private investors.
Why it matters
De Beers CEO signals diamond sale could conclude within weeks, with Namibia as a potential strategic stakeholder in major mining sector restructuring.
De Beers CEO Al Cook says the company's sale could be completed within weeks, with governments including Namibia, Botswana and Angola, and industry investors expressing interest in acquiring stakes. Cook envisions the company's future as a public-private partnership combining governments and private investors.
The government is considering spending up to N$3 billion to buy a stake in De Beers, reportedly partnering with Angola and Botswana, which already hold 15% of the diamond company. The deal follows Anglo American's decision to exit De Beers and sell its 85% stake, with De Beers' valuation dropping significantly from N$65.7 billion to N$6.9 billion.
De Beers Group has intensified efforts to boost demand for natural diamonds through a new phase of its global 'Desert Diamonds' marketing campaign, aiming to distinguish natural stones from synthetic alternatives and capitalize on growing consumer interest. Namibia produced 556,000 carats in the first quarter ending 31 March 2026, and diamonds remain critical to the country's economy.
Namibia's mining sector paid N$7.8 billion in taxes to government in 2025, a 39% increase from N$5.6 billion in 2024, driven largely by corporate income tax from gold mining operations. Royalties rose 9% to N$2.5 billion and export levies increased 90% to N$685 million, while the mining sector's real value added contracted 9.4%.
The Namibian publishes an opinion piece arguing that as Namibia approaches major oil and gas production, history—including Iran's experience and Namibia's own resource management of fisheries, diamonds, and uranium—shows that natural resources must be strategically managed to avoid pitfalls like price dependency, reduced transparency, and lagging non-energy growth.
The Chamber of Mines of Namibia has appointed geologist and investment banking professional Fabian Shaanika as Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 May 2026, succeeding retired CEO Veston Malango who led the organization for two decades. Shaanika brings nearly 20 years of mining sector experience across exploration, project development, financing, and production, including recent roles at Kelp Blue and senior positions at Rand Merchant Bank and Standard Bank Namibia.
Fabian Shaanika, former managing director of Kelp Blue, has been appointed chief executive officer of the Chamber of Mines of Namibia, effective 1 May 2026. He brings experience from mining and resources roles at Namdeb, Vedanta's Skorpion Zinc Mine, Debmarine Namibia, and Rand Merchant Bank Namibia.
The Chamber of Mines of Namibia has appointed Fabian Shaanika, formerly managing director of kelp farming company Kelp Blue, as its new chief executive effective 1 May. Shaanika, a registered geologist with MBA and experience at Rand Merchant Bank, Standard Bank, Namdeb, Skorpion Zinc Mine and Debmarine Namibia, replaces Veston Malango, who retires after 20 years leading the chamber.
Green Metals Refining has appointed seasoned mining and banking executive Fabian Shaanika to the board of its Namibian subsidiary Kudu Chemicals, which is developing a sulphuric acid plant at Walvis Bay for battery-grade manganese chemical production.
The president of Namibia Horse Racing Association says the future of horse racing is bleak without increased sponsorship, with only MTC currently backing the sport after FNB Namibia, Standard Bank Namibia, and Debmarine withdrew. The association faces challenges including high costs of maintaining racehorses, insufficient competition prize money, lack of technical equipment like drones for photo finishes, and limited geographic expansion beyond Omaheke, Khomas, Otjozondjupa, and Hardap regions.
Debmarine Namibia is pursuing brand-building and consumer education to protect the natural diamond industry as synthetic diamonds devalue the market and reduce consumer appetite. The strategy comes as De Beers' valuation has plummeted from US$4.1 billion to US$2.3 billion, potentially affecting Namibia's funding for schools, hospitals, roads and social programmes.
Women represent only 15–19% of the global mining workforce despite centuries of participation in the sector. In Namibia, progress is accelerating with more women in STEM fields, technical roles, and leadership positions, though sustained commitment to inclusion remains necessary.
Anglo American's sharp devaluation of De Beers to US$2.3 billion reflects the diamond industry's struggles amid competition from lab-grown diamonds, which threatens Namibia's fiscal health since diamonds fund schools, hospitals and roads. Experts debate whether Namibia should invest in the sector as Anglo American seeks buyers, with some warning the industry faces long-term decline.
The NBC has decided to bring the Miss Namibia and Miss Teen 2026 pageants to Gobabis, completing hosting of the event across all four corners of Namibia. The move is expected to boost local tourism and regional economy through increased visitor numbers and media coverage, while promoting youth empowerment and regional inclusivity.
The Miss Namibia Organisation has closed applications for 2026 competitions and completed candidate screening. The pageant continues to position itself as a platform for leadership and social impact, with winners and finalists involved in charity work, mentorship, and national development initiatives.