NDTC Offices, Windhoek, 30 September 2026.
Address by Her Excellency Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of the Republic of Namibia, at the unveiling of Namdeb’s newly discovered 176.29-carat natural diamond.
Director of Ceremonies;
Dr Elijah Ngurare, Right Honourable Prime Minister;
Honourable Modestus Amutse, Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy;
Honourable Ministers and Members of Parliament;
Honourable Sam Nujoma, Governor of the Khomas Region;
Members of the Namdeb Holdings Board and Namdeb Executive Leadership;
Representatives of the De Beers Group;
Esteemed stakeholders;
Members of the Diplomatic Corps;
Distinguished invited guests;
Members of the media;
Ladies and gentlemen,
On this joyous occasion, we join together to unveil an extraordinary gift from Namibia’s natural heritage in the form of a 176.29-carat natural diamond, which was recovered by Namdeb at the Southern Coastal Mine in Oranjemund on 10 May 2026.
This remarkable stone represents the largest diamond of its kind to be discovered at the mine in the past two decades. It is an achievement that is not only a significant milestone for Namdeb, but also a source of immense pride for our country and its people. This is a testament to Namibia’s standing as a country endowed with valuable natural resources and recognised as a producer of high-quality natural diamonds.
Director of Ceremonies,
In pursuit of our goals to strike a healthy balance between state-led development and a market-led economy, mining is our number one critical enabler. Natural resource beneficiation has wide-ranging impacts on the economy, including much-needed job creation.
This discovery comes at a time when the global diamond industry is undergoing significant changes, characterised by evolving consumer preferences, competition from laboratory-grown diamonds and fluctuations in international markets. These developments require us to remain innovative, adaptable and responsive to changing market conditions.
Namibia’s diamond industry is internationally renowned for its commitment to responsible mining, sound governance and ethical practices. Our peaceful and stable environment, reinforced by the Constitution, the rule of law and established regulatory institutions, provides a solid foundation for sustainable investment in the mining industry, among other sectors.
Therefore, this 176.29-carat natural diamond reinforces the importance of pursuing our national objectives robustly. It represents an opportunity to strengthen our mining industry and expand economic activities to generate revenue that can support essential public services such as education, healthcare, housing and infrastructure development.
Namibia must continue to position its natural diamonds in the global market by emphasising their rarity, authenticity, quality and responsible provenance. Our diamonds carry a distinctive story of natural heritage, responsible production and a partnership between the Government and the mining industry, particularly the Namibia Diamond Trading Company (NDTC) and the De Beers Group, which dates back to 2007. This is the story we must continue to tell, even beyond our borders.
We ought to equally strengthen our participation in the international diamond value chain by pursuing commercially viable opportunities in cutting, polishing, jewellery manufacturing and other related industries. Such initiatives should be guided by sound economic considerations, market demand and the availability of appropriate skills and technology.
In closing, I extend my congratulations to Namdeb and its dedicated employees on this momentous achievement.
May this discovery renew our commitment to ensuring that the wealth beneath our soil becomes a source of shared prosperity for all Namibians.
I thank you.
