Katali defends Namdia’s establishment

Former mines minister Isak Katali has defended the formation of Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia), saying this meant Namibia could fetch good returns for its diamonds internationally.This comes on the heels of an interview with his successor, Obeth Kandjoze, the current director general of the National Planning Commission, who said he had found that the process to establish Namdia was already in the works under his predecessor, Katali."I thought it is a good thing, and I still think it’s a good thing. I could not do something not agreed to by the ministry or by Cabinet," Katali said.Piece of the pieDe Beers was the only company selling diamonds produced in Namibia, prompting the establishment of Namdia, he said."De Beers was the sole selling company for all diamonds in the joint venture. We felt that a part or certain diamonds must be sold by ourselves. That’s why we said, let’s have our own," Katali remarked.No commentKatali would, however, not weigh-in on the scandals that have engulfed Namdia."I cannot talk to what is currently happening," he said of the entity that was being established during his tenure as minister.A Namibian Sun investigation in January 2021 detailed how Kandjoze and Sacky Shanghala, then the attorney general, were able to compel Namdia to offer its diamonds to C-Sixty, a former cleaning company with no track record in valuing diamonds.Namdia board chairperson at the time, the late Shakespeare Masiza, was opposed to the deal, but Kandjoze got his way.The contract was awarded to C-Sixty despite Namdia having already had a consultant, Niel Haddock, carry out valuation work for the government entity.Compelling caseAppearing on Namibia Media Holdings&#039; The Agenda last week, Kandjoze said he had no qualms handing over the lucrative contract to C-Sixty, despite the company being only three months old at the time."Given the extensive, technological write-up and business plan provided to us it was clear, not so much the history of the company, but did they demonstrate stealth and ability to do the work, or did they not, when that final submission was made. It’s not just the minister that sat down; it was the permanent secretary; all of us to look at that thing," said Kandjoze.

Katali defends Namdia’s establishment

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Namibian Sun 2025-10-08

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Katali defends Namdia’s establishment

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Namibian Sun 2025-10-08

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