Got robbed in Namibia by two armed attackers… since then things have been pretty tough—mentally and financially.
I need to replace my device and cut costs, so right now I’m basically living on porridge. Not gonna lie though, it actually tastes good.
This weekend I might go to the mall and treat myself to a coffee ☕
#Namibia #Robbery #RecoveryJourney #StayStrong #MinimalLiving #TravelLife #Africa #Resilience #KeepGoing #StartingOver #LifeUpdate #HardTimes #Hope
The Namib Desert, Namibia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydYDqZQpim8
#africa #namibia #SouthAfrica #NamibDesert #wildlife #live #webcam
I’ve just posted an update for my fundraiser, Help me recover after a robbery.
👉 https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/9nxbZTLyNL
Thank you for your support 🙏
#Update #Fundraiser #Support #Help #Recovery #Travel #Namibia #Community
Help me recover after a robbery I was recently robbed right after arriving in Namibia and lost my phone, including my 1TB microSD card with photos and important data. The device was essential for my travels, photography, and staying connected. I’m now raising funds to replace: - a new phone - a 1TB microSD card - a protective case - shipping and import taxes Every contribution helps me get back on track and continue documenting my journey with photos and stories. Thank you for your support 🙏
The Namib Desert, Namibia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydYDqZQpim8
#africa #namibia #SouthAfrica #NamibDesert #wildlife #live #webcam
Flagship project of China-Namibia mining cooperation empowers locals, especially women, in Africa – Global Times [4 September 2024]
[hhttps://lemmy.ml/api/v3/image_proxy?url=ttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.globaltimes.cn%2FPortals%2F0%2Fattachment%2F2024%2F2024-09-04%2F55d6e814-e15a-4983-b22f-ee57a04acba5.png-] Note the poverty the (ongoing) Fukushima disaster [https://lemmy.ml/post/44377669] brought into their lives, & the need for modernization of the uranium industry. Boiling down China’s presence in Africa to resource extraction for the enrichment of their transnational corporations (neocolonialism) is a surface-level misreading, & I’m going to keep harping on about that.
China and Namibia: Building roads, mining riches, sharing knowledge – CGTN [5 September 2024]
Namibia’s long-standing relationship with China continues to strengthen as the two nations focus on trade, infrastructure, mining and education. The 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), currently underway in Beijing, has seen high-level officials from Namibia express optimism about the future of their bilateral ties. Elia Kaiyamo, Namibian ambassador to China, said that FOCAC provides a strategic platform for deepening economic cooperation. “What I’m expecting is the relationship will improve. We expect the implementation to be harmonious in terms of a win-win situation,” Kaiyamo said, underscoring the potential for Chinese investment to bolster local industries. Namibia, he added, is focused on building manufacturing sectors that produce goods “Made in Namibia,” reducing dependence on imports and fostering homegrown industries with China’s support. ### Mining partnerships One sector where Chinese investment has had a profound impact is mining. Namibia’s Minister of Mines and Energy Tom Alweendo praised China’s role in developing the country’s uranium industry. Speaking at a press conference in June 2024, Alweendo noted that Chinese investment has been crucial in establishing Namibia as one of the world’s largest uranium producers. The mining sector now accounts for 14.4 percent of Namibia’s GDP, a figure largely attributed to the contributions of the China National Uranium Corporation Limited (CNUC). In 2019, CNUC took over the Rossing uranium mine, one of the world’s largest and longest-operating open-pit uranium mines, from Rio Tinto. “I hope you will continue to operate for another 40 years,” Alweendo said, highlighting the mine’s enduring role in Namibia’s economic growth. ### Infrastructure gains Chinese companies have also contributed significantly to Namibia’s infrastructure. The recent rehabilitation of the B1 highway, a critical route connecting Namibia to South Africa, was completed ahead of schedule by China Henan International Cooperation Group. This project has improved the movement of goods and people across the border, enhancing trade and regional connectivity. “The contribution of Henan International has set a new benchmark for road infrastructure in Namibia,” said Aletha Frederick, governor of the Karas Region, at the road’s commissioning ceremony. With 800 local workers employed and 500 trained during construction, the project also brought much-needed jobs and skills development to the region. ### Education and research: a cornerstone of future ties Namibia’s leaders are keen to expand educational cooperation with China. Namibian Ambassador to China Elia Kaiyamo has made it a priority to send more Namibian students to China to study innovation, medicine and trade. “My focus now is to bring in more students to study on innovation, to study on medicine and to study on trade,” he said. During a recent visit to China, Speaker of Namibia’s National Assembly Peter Katjavivi explored opportunities for agricultural research cooperation between the two nations. At the Jinzhong National Agriculture High-tech Zone Smart Farm Demonstration Base in Shanxi Province, he initiated efforts to connect Namibian and Chinese agricultural research institutions. Additionally, after visiting the Tianjin Public Vocational Training Center, he advocated for the establishment of a vocational training facility at the Namibian University of Science and Technology, aiming to apply China’s successful vocational education model in Namibia. This educational cooperation, supported by FOCAC, aims to ensure that Namibia builds the human capital necessary for its economic development. By equipping students with knowledge in strategic fields, Namibia can enhance its capacity for innovation and reduce its reliance on foreign expertise. ### Tourism and beyond Tourism also holds great potential for bilateral cooperation. Kaiyamo hopes to attract more Chinese tourists to Namibia, promoting the country’s unique wildlife and natural beauty. “We also need to take more Chinese people to Namibia to enjoy our area, especially our wildlife, lions, etc.,” he said. Looking ahead, Namibia aims to become a regional trade hub, with Chinese investment helping to drive this transformation. Kaiyamo outlined plans to attract Chinese car manufacturers to establish operations in Namibia, positioning the country as a focal point for the African automotive market. “Namibia can be the focal point for taking cars to Africa,” he said, indicating a broader ambition to integrate Namibia into Africa’s industrial supply chain. With growing trade, investment and educational ties, Namibia and China are poised to further strengthen their relationship. As the FOCAC summit progresses, Namibia’s leaders are optimistic that their partnership with China will continue to deliver substantial benefits across multiple sectors, from infrastructure to mining to education.
Namibia receives first shipment for pioneering battery energy storage project – Xinhua [15 October 2025]
WINDHOEK, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) – Namibia has received the first shipment of equipment for its 51-megawatt (MW) Omburu Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project, the country’s first utility-scale battery installation as the country moves to strengthen the electricity grid and expand renewable energy use. The shipment, according to the national utility NamPower, arrived on Tuesday at the port of Walvis Bay, and includes eight Power Conversion System (PCS) containers that will convert alternating current from the grid into direct current for charging lithium-ion batteries. Four more containers are expected later this week, with the remaining 33 containers due before the end of the year, said NamPower in a statement. The Omburu project, located near Omaruru in central Namibia, is designed to store 51 megawatt-hours of electricity for release during peak demand, displacing costly emergency imports and supporting intermittent solar and wind generation, it added. NamPower signed an engineering, procurement and construction contract in December 2023 with China’s Shandong Electrical Engineering & Equipment Group (SDEE) and Zhejiang Narada Power Source Co., Ltd. The project is expected to be completed and commissioned in the second quarter of 2026, according to the statement. A press release from SDEE said the project will “enable NamPower to cost-effectively manage energy demand and supply” while also ensuring supply security.
Etango uranium mine moving closer to production – Bannerman Energy (Australia) [21 February 2025]
Open-pit mine with heap leaching. Disgusting, I like the ones that dissolve it in water (in-situ leaching). Yes, this is an ad for a neocolonial Australian uranium firm. I have much better investment recommendations than this. However I can’t be held accountable, so don’t take them. The Namibia-based Etango uranium project of Australian uranium development company Bannerman Energy is advancing towards production, with first uranium output expected in 2028. The project is set to bolster Namibia’s position as one of the world’s leading uranium producers, adding to the country’s existing uranium operations at Rossing, Husab and the recently reopened Langer Heinrich mines. Considering that Namibia is currently the third-largest uranium producer globally, Bannerman CEO Gavin Chamberlain says the addition of Etango is expected to strengthen the country’s ranking. The mine is projected to produce about 3.5-million pounds (or more than 1.58-million kg) of uranium yearly through an opencast mining method. Etango’s processing method also sets it apart from legacy uranium mines in Namibia, as it will use a heap leach process, whereas Namibia’s other uranium mines primarily use tank leaching. According to Chamberlain, the project represents a significant milestone not just for the company but for Namibia’s broader mining sector. “The fact that we will be the fourth uranium mine in Namibia is a big achievement and keeps Namibia right at the top of the global uranium industry,” he says. As Bannerman moves towards full-scale construction at Etango, the company has reached several milestones – one of the most significant being the company’s granting of a mining licence in December 2023, following an application process that started in August 2022. This approval enables the company to accelerate project development, as securing a mining licence is a prerequisite for obtaining major funding. In anticipation of the licence, Bannerman had already started front-end engineering design work, refining the project’s engineering and cost estimates. The company also re-tendered contracts to ensure accurate pricing before advancing to the construction phase. Following the approval, Bannerman awarded its first two construction contracts in December 2023, covering the installation of a pipeline to supply construction water and the development of an access road connecting the project site to the main road. Both were completed by mid-2024, establishing the foundation for the next phases of development. A key financial milestone was the successful completion of an A$85-million fundraising round in June 2024, which enables the company to proceed with further early works and also enables Bannerman to award contracts for additional infrastructure, including internal access roads, bulk earthworks and construction power supply. The bulk earthworks phase, which is critical for preparing the site for key processing infrastructure, is expected to be completed by 2026. Bannerman is targeting uranium production by 2028 and with commissioning scheduled for 2027, the company has implemented a structured stage gate process, which involves quarterly board updates to assess progress and approve new contract placements. The structured stage gate approach allows the company to balance financial discipline with steady construction momentum. This is meant to ensure the project remains on track and ensures that construction momentum is maintained while identifying and mitigating potential risks, Chamberlain tells Mining Weekly. #### Key Obstacle Addressed One such challenge is water availability – a key consideration in Namibia’s mining industry. Recognising this early on in the project work, Chamberlain explains the company took proactive steps to address the issue through constructing a dedicated water supply pipeline before major construction started. The company also built a large onsite reservoir with a storage capacity of 9 000 m3, thereby enabling construction to continue even if water supply disruptions occur. Chamberlain emphasises that these pre-emptive measures have already proven effective. “Namibia’s desalination plant experienced a planned shutdown in November, but we were able to continue work without any delays because of our onsite water storage. Similarly, a recent sulphur bloom led to another shutdown, but again, we had sufficient reserves to continue operations,” he says. Bannerman has also prioritised localisation, using Namibian contractors, with all five major construction contracts awarded to local firms. Chamberlain highlights the benefits of this approach, including cost efficiency and the ability to work with experienced contractors familiar with mining operations. Many of these companies were involved in recent upgrade projects at Langer Heinrich, he adds, pointing out that this means they already meet the high safety and quality standards required for uranium mining. To further facilitate local participation, Bannerman has structured its contracts into smaller, more manageable packages, enabling Namibian firms to compete effectively, as many local companies lack the capacity to independently take on large-scale projects. “The integration of Namibian contractors into our project has been a major success. Not only does it strengthen the local economy by keeping funds within Namibia, but it also simplifies logistics and supervision. We don’t need to bring in international teams to oversee the work when we have qualified local contractors available,” Chamberlain explains. While the workforce currently fluctuates depending on project requirements, the site has already seen up to 200 workers employed at various stages of construction. As activity ramps up, employment is expected to peak at about 1 500 workers. #### Market Positioning Alongside its construction efforts, Bannerman is focusing on securing the necessary financing and uranium offtake agreements. The company is pursuing a dual funding strategy and exploring both traditional debt financing, as well as possibly bringing in a strategic partner.
97% of Namibian SMEs non-bankable – The Namibian
Ruben Storm
African wildlife
A🔻atar of 🔻engeance
Robb Edwards 🌱