Ohorongo Cement

Also known as: Ohorongo Cement (Proprietary) Limited

Namibian cement company that proposed merger with Whale Rock Cement, which was blocked by the Competition Commission then approved by the minister before being overturned by the High Court in October 2026.

2025-02-242026-10-27

News reports

Order a long-term news report on Ohorongo Cement

Every mention in the Namibian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.

What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

July 2026
3 JulWindhoek Observer
Ohorongo Cement said it will not retrench employees following approval of its merger with Cheetah Cement
Source
“Allexer Namundjembo Ohorongo Cement has said that it will not retrench employees following the approval of its merger with Schwenk Namibia's Cheetah Cement, although some operational changes, including staff relocation, are expected.”
Ohorongo-Cheetah Cement merger approved with conditions
April 2026
23 AprThe Namibian
Ohorongo Cement partnered to finance 532 houses countrywide at cost of N$26.5 million
Source
“"I am informed that, through private sector funding, the partnership between Ohorongo Cement, FNB and the Pupkewitz Foundation has financed the construction of 532 houses countrywide at a cost of N$26.5 million," he said.”
Shack Dwellers Federation builds 536 homes worth N$23.6m through private partnerships
June 2025
21 JunThe Namibian
Ohorongo Cement received support from Otavi Town Council and government fiscal incentives when established
Source
“When Ohorongo Cement was established, it received support from the Otavi Town Council and fiscal incentives from the government.”
Ohorongo Sale Must Balance People and Profit

Business

High Court reverses cement merger decision; CIF backs ruling

The News

The Construction Industries Federation supports a High Court decision that reversed industries minister Modestus Amutse's approval of a merger between Namibia's two cement companies, arguing that cement is too important to the construction and infrastructure sectors to be treated as a purely commercial transaction. The court found that Amutse had not considered objections against the proposed acquisition of Ohorongo Cement by Whale Rock Cement.

8 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 8 October

High Court reverses cement merger decision; CIF backs ruling
The Construction Industries Federation supports a High Court decision that reversed industries minister Modestus Amutse's approval of a merger between Namibia's two cement companies, arguing that cement is too important to the construction and infrastructure sectors to be treated as a purely commercial transaction. The court found that Amutse had not considered objections against the proposed acquisition of Ohorongo Cement by Whale Rock Cement.
8 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Housing scheme delivers over 11 000 low-cost houses countrywide
The Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia, through partnership with the Namibia Housing Action Group, has constructed and delivered over 11 000 low-cost houses countrywide since 1998. Since July last year, the SDFN has constructed and delivered 2 354 houses and established more than 1 000 active savings groups with over 33 000 members across the country's 14 regions.
8 October 2026 · New Era →
IPC demands accountability for unlawful cement merger decision
Independent Patriots for Change parliamentarian Ferdinand Hengombe is demanding to know whether industries, mines and energy minister Modestus Amutse will be held liable for costs arising from his decision to overturn the Namibian Competition Commission's rejection of the proposed Cheetah Cement and Ohorongo Cement merger, following a High Court judgment that found Amutse's decision unlawful and invalid.
8 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 6 October

High Court blocks cement merger after minister missed objections
The High Court overturned the industries minister's approval of a merger between Whale Rock Cement and Ohorongo Cement after the minister admitted an administrative error meant objections from interested parties never reached him. The Namibian Competition Commission had previously prohibited the merger due to concerns about job losses and a monopoly in the cement market.
6 October 2026 · The Namibian →
High Court overturns minister's approval of cement merger
Justice James Robertson Devittie overturned the minister of industries, mines and energy's June 2026 decision to approve a proposed cement merger, restoring the Namibian Competition Commission's original prohibition of the transaction. The court declared the minister's determination unlawful and invalid following an urgent review application by ITE Products, Pharaoh Cement, and the Construction Industries Federation of Namibia.
6 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 5 October

Parliamentary committee flags labour concerns at five mining regions
A Parliamentary Standing Committee has raised concerns over outsourcing, job insecurity, occupational safety, retrenchments and inadequate worker benefits following oversight visits to mining operations in Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa, Erongo, //Kharas and Khomas regions, and recommends strict monitoring of subcontractors.
5 October 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 24 September

Minister defends cement merger approval amid High Court lawsuit
Industries minister Modestus Amutse has defended his June 2026 decision to allow Whale Rock Cement to acquire Schwenk Namibia—which owns the majority of Ohorongo Cement—saying he weighed employment protection against the disadvantages of business closure. A South African customer, iTE Products, has sued him in the High Court, claiming to have submitted objections that the minister said he did not receive, with the case scheduled for 1 October.
24 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 21 September

South African firm sues Amutse over Ohorongo Cement merger approval
A South African company, iTe Products, is challenging Minister Amutse's October 1 approval of a merger between Whale Rock Cement and Schwenk Namibia (which owns Ohorongo Cement), arguing that the minister's claim of receiving no objections was false. iTe opposes the deal because it would combine Namibia's two cement companies into a monopoly, a concern the Competition Commission had previously upheld in blocking the merger last July.
21 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 28 July

Namibia Competition Commission rejects Whale Rock–Schwenk cement merger
The Namibia Competition Commission has objected to the proposed acquisition of Schwenk Namibia by West China Cement (Whale Rock Cement), based on stakeholder input and competition law concerns including market concentration.
28 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 13 July

Construction federation opposes approved Ohorongo-Cheetah cement merger
The Construction Industries Federation of Namibia has called for the Ohorongo-Cheetah cement merger to be withdrawn following Industries, Mines and Energy Minister Modestus Amutse's decision to overturn the Namibia Competition Commission's block on the transaction, warning it threatens competition, local contractors, and SMEs despite conditions aimed at preventing job losses and preserving production.
13 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 3 July

Ohorongo-Cheetah Cement merger approved with operational conditions
Ohorongo Cement says its merger with Schwenk Namibia's Cheetah Cement, approved with conditions by the minister of industries, mines and energy, will not result in job losses but will involve staff relocation from Otjiwarongo to Otavi and increased local ownership requirements.
3 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 23 April

Shack Dwellers Federation delivers 536 homes via partnerships
The Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia has built more than 530 houses valued at over N$23 million over the past decade through partnerships with FNB Namibia, the Pupkewitz Foundation and Ohorongo Cement, with a further 60 homes planned for the coming year in selected urban centres.
23 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 16 April

CIF Golf Classic returns April 24 for construction sector
The Construction Industries Federation of Namibia's Golf Classic takes place on 24 April at Windhoek Golf Club, featuring a Two-Ball Alliance format with prizes valued at approximately N$163 000 for top teams. The event, presented by Hardrock Earthworks and supported by major sponsors, combines competitive golf with networking for industry leaders and business professionals.
16 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 15 April

CIF Golf Classic returns April 2026 with industry sponsorship
The Construction Industries Federation's annual Golf Classic is scheduled for 24 April 2026 at Windhoek Golf Club, with Hardrock Earthworks as naming rights sponsor and support from other industry partners. The event aims to bring together contractors, suppliers and business leaders in a two-ball alliance format, with team registrations at N$10 000 and prizes valued at approximately N$163 000.
15 April 2026 · New Era →

Sunday 22 March

Cheetah Cement to close, retrench 87 workers after merger blocked
Cheetah Cement plans to close operations and retrench approximately 87 employees by 15 April, citing sustained financial losses, regional import restrictions, and a blocked merger attempt with Ohorongo Cement. The Namibian Competition Commission refused the merger in July 2025, and the company says it has been loss-making for eight years; the union is negotiating to find alternatives to the retrenchments.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →