Debunking the theatrics against tin mining in Kunene
Not as it seems
Namibia's natural resources should be for the benefit of all its citizens, writes Timoteus Mashuna.
Namibia’s painful history is marked by episodes of exclusion, where certain segments of society were systematically barred from participating in lucrative economic activities. Profitable ventures were reserved for only one segment of society—a practice that some individuals in contemporary Namibia continue to maintain through deceptive tactics disguised as wildlife conservation.However, as events unfold regarding the interdiction of mining at the Goatagab Tin Mine in the Kunene Region, it appears that some still cling to the outdated mindset that only they are entitled to the country’s resources—at the expense of local communities.
These pseudo-conservationists, who in reality are hardcore commercial capitalists, hide behind black rhino conservation while their true intent is massive profit for themselves and the continued subjugation of rural communities, who suffer from chronic joblessness despite the booming tourism industry in their areas. To these pretenders, the suffering of local communities is nothing compared to showcasing black rhinos to their wealthy clientele for a hefty price.
In a recent opinion piece published in The Namibian, Tristan Cowley of Ultimate Safaris—an enterprise that has turned Kunene’s conservancies into its exclusive commercial playground—along with the peculiar involvement of Peter Hougaard in the ongoing legal battle over the Goatagab Tin Mine, delivered a cheap shot aimed at perpetuating historical legacies of exclusion and subjugation.
To obscure the real nature of the issue, Cowley wrote on December 6, 2024, that Namibia is “grappling with systemic challenges despite its natural wealth and potential.” He then launched a scathing attack on the Namibian government, accusing it of establishing a failing mining and environmental management system that benefits only a select few entrepreneurs. The irony of his argument is that he enjoys exclusive access to Kunene’s conservancies and is now fiercely opposing the coexistence of tourism and responsible mining in the same area.
His exclusive access is currently under investigation by the Namibia Competition Commission (NaCC), and I will not delve further into that matter.
Cowley’s emphasis on tourism as the key to sustainable development and the growth of conservancies is debunked by Adam Cruise and Izzy Sasada, whose investigative research into Namibia’s internationally acclaimed wildlife conservation model found that “the perceived success of wildlife conservation and the accompanying economic benefits for previously disadvantaged rural communities in Namibia are predominantly a fabrication rather than a fact.”
Therefore, Cowley’s dismissal of coexistence, in a manner reminiscent of the Bantustan system, is a deliberate attempt to mislead the Namibian public and to conceal the suffering of Kunene residents, who stand to benefit immensely from responsible mining. These communities have coexisted with black rhinos for generations, and Cowley’s pretense that he knows better is, at best, condescending.
Cowley’s assertion that his family has successfully operated tourism businesses in Namibia
since the 1980s—a period when Namibians were fighting for equality of opportunity—only weakens his argument. Namibia’s liberation struggle was not waged to maintain the Cowley family’s grip on the country’s resources but to ensure an inclusive and prosperous future for all Namibians, including the residents of Kunene.
As for Hougaard, a South African citizen, how was he able to conduct unfettered mining activities at the Goatagab Tin Mine through his company, Namibia Solid Rock, without facing legal action over alleged disturbances to the local rhino population? When his company was mining in the area, there was no mention of black rhino conservation. However, now that the concession is in native hands, voices of dissent — accompanied by a barrage of court cases — have suddenly grown louder.
While on the subject, it is also worth investigating how Mining License 24 (ML24), which Hougaard used to operate in the area, was granted. Namibians, as the sovereign owners of all resources beneath their soil, deserve clarity on this matter.
*Timoteus Mashuna is a Namibian entrepreneur. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the University of Namibia and an Interdisciplinary Master of Arts in History and Social Anthropology from the University of Basel in Switzerland.**