Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa told parliament that Namibia should turn its stones into bread.
Shaningwa, who has a seat as an MP, said Namibia should try by all possible means to turn its raw materials into bread.
Contributing to the debate on the mines ministry’s 2025/26 budget, Shaningwa said the state-owned entity, Epangelo Mining, should be positioned to champion local beneficiation.
She said Epangelo Mining must be allowed to participate fully in the mining sector.
“Let us upstage our own state company, Epangelo Mining,” Shaningwa said.
According to Shaningwa, processing minerals locally would boost employment and drive economic self-sufficiency.
Shaningwa said the mining sector is a major contributor to Namibia’s GDP.
“Let it truly benefit our people,” she said, raising concerns with the 10% the government has in the oil and gas industry through Namcor.
Shaningwa said the 10% is a barrier to meaningful national development and cannot work for the country’s development.
Mines minister Natangwe Ithete, who is also the prime minister, said there is a need to revise our policy.
Ithete also said President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has given the ministers orders to change the mining policy.
“The Head of State did not speak only to us in this house. She spoke through us to the entire nation.
“So the entire country has been given that directive to change the policy. Let’s bring forward proposals and lead this change together so that one day, our children can smile,” Ithete said.
He added that Namibia should have started already, as early as yesterday.
“So let’s start now,” Ithete said.
