Renthia Kaimbi
A member of parliament and chairperson of the parliamentary standing committee on agriculture, environment, and natural resources, Tobie Aupindi, says the ongoing opposition to the Goantagab Mine in the Kunene region undermines government authority and exposes “economic racism” against entrepreneurs.
He said the government ministries had issued legitimate licenses for the mining operations, yet legal challenges persist.
“We cannot allow a situation where economic opportunities are weaponised against black people in their own country,” he said.
The dispute over the Goantagab Mine is currently before the High Court, where Ultimate Safaris and several conservancies are seeking to stop mining operations by Timoteus Mashuna and Ottilie Ndimulunde.
Mashuna, represented by Apollos Shimakeleni Lawyers, said the mine is expected to create between 150 and 250 jobs.
Ultimate Safaris, however, argues that the mining activities threaten the endangered black rhino and a planned N$100 million luxury lodge in the area.
Aupindi said the mine had been operational since the 1920s without objection when it was white-owned, questioning why opposition only emerged after it became black-owned.
“I see this as a clear case of economic racism against black people. This mine has been in operation since the 1920s, and there was never an issue when it was white-owned. Yet suddenly, when a black-owned company takes over, it becomes a problem. This double standard is economic racism in its purest form.”
He argued that mining and tourism can coexist.
“Mining and tourism can co-exist, and in fact, they can support and enhance one another. It is happening in Erongo and other regions, where the two sectors co-exist,” he said.
Aupindi described the Goantagab Mine as critical to the region’s economy, saying it could provide hundreds of jobs in communities facing poverty.
“It is the lifeline of the surrounding communities and of Uis,” he said.
He maintained that local support for the mine is stronger than the opposition claims.
“The opponents of this mining project belong to the Doro !Nawas Conservancy, while the mine is within the confines of the Sorris Sorris Conservancy, and both the Sorris Sorris Conservancy together with His Royal Highness, the chief of the area, fully support the mining activities,” he said.
“We will not stand by and allow such double standards to continue in this country,” he added.
Ministers blamed for letting conflict escalate
Another member of parliament, Immanuel Nashinge, shared similar sentiments, describing the opposition to the mine as “economic sabotage”.
He said, while tourism is valuable, the argument that a luxury lodge offers greater benefit than a mine is “economically illiterate”.
“The stance taken by Ultimate Safaris is not merely business; it is an act of economic sabotage and arrogance that undermines our laws and the well-being of our people. The argument that a luxury lodge is of greater economic value than a mining operation does not withstand scrutiny,” Nashinge said.
He noted that the mining sector employs thousands of Namibians in long-term jobs and contributes billions to the national budget. Nashinge called on the responsible ministers to intervene.
“The two ministers have folded their hands for too long, allowing one investor to use media and legal technicalities to effectively veto the lawful activities of another. This creates a dangerous precedent that policy is set not by legislation but by the loudest voice. The ministers have failed!” he said.
Nashinge vowed to defend economic fairness.
“We will ensure that national economic development is not held hostage by the narrow interests of a few. To suggest that a single lodge owned by foreigners will bring better benefits than mining is an insult to the intelligence of our people.”
