STAFF WRITER
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has challenged the mining industry to create a post retirement medical medical scheme that will cater for workers who served the industry when they retire.
Speaking at the official opening of the mining expo organized yesterday the Chamber of Mines Namibia on Wednesday Nandi-Ndaiwah also implored Namibians to improve negotiation skills when engaging investors in the future to make sure the country accrues maximum results from its natural resources.
‘ I implore stakeholders in the mining sector to put in place post-retirement medical schemes to support employees who retire with injuries and those whose illness may manifest itself long after retirement. This will ensure that workers are cared for even after their retirement. We can also work together to establish a national health scheme that can take care of us throughout our lifetime,” she said.
The mining industry contributed 14% to the Gross Domestic Product and paid
N$7.8 billion in taxes in 2025 a 37% increase from the N$5.6 billion in 2024.
The sector has also demonstrated the investor’s confidence in Namibia as a stable and attractive investment destination, while leveraging its untapped potential for diversification and value addition. Hence, the increased number of international exhibitors.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibian making should be guided by value addition and maximum beneficiation of natural resources.
“I want to urge Namibians not to always be driven by money when negotiating with investors in future. I say to you please do not negotiate with a poverty mindset , you must negotiate knowing that others come with money and the resources in the ground is ours and it must benefit Namibians,” she said
Nandi- Ndaitwah emphasised that her administration has set an ambitious objective of creating 500 000 jobs over the implementation of the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6).
She said the mining sector is identified as one of the eight economic enablers towards achieving this target.
“While the mining sector committed through the Namibia Public-Private Forum to creating over 18 000 direct jobs and facilitating an estimated US$ 2.865 billion in new investment through the various mining and exploration projects, more can still be done,” she said.
The President implored the mining sector and other sectors of the economy to play their part by ensuring that sustainable jobs are created.
Equally, as a government, we are encouraging the mining sector to heed the government’s call for value addition and local beneficiation to ensure shared
prosperity with the owners of the resources, the people.
“In addition to its corporate social responsibility initiatives, the mining sector should consider empowering its long-serving employees with skills, capital, and opportunities, enabling them to diversify into other sectors of the economy and drive job creation and economic diversification,” she said.
The President called on the mining industry to prioritise safety and wellness of employees in the mining sector, including small-scale miners.
“Occupational health and safety
should remain a priority in the mining sector. Together we must work hard to accelerate the finalization of the Occupational Health and Safety Bill. All of us have to embrace the establishment of occupational health and safety centers across the country. This will ensure that employees, even those operating in the informal sector, can have access to the service,” she said.
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