Leonard Hoaeb
As the Chairperson of the Small Miners Association in Khorixas, and on behalf of concerned community members, I write to express our deep concern regarding the ongoing narrative that pits mining against tourism.
We have observed with growing alarm the trend – supported by certain NGOs with Western influence – that seeks to portray these two vital sectors as irreconcilable enemies.
In recent years, Namibia has witnessed growing tension between the mining sector and the tourism industry. At the centre of this debate are certain NGOs and investors who, instead of fostering dialogue, appear intent on creating division.
They present mining and tourism as irreconcilable enemies, urging communities to resist development projects under the banner of conservation. But is this conflict truly inevitable, or is it being manufactured?
Mining and tourism are both pillars of Namibia’s economy. Mining provides jobs, infrastructure, and revenue that sustain national development.
Tourism, on the other hand, showcases Namibia’s natural beauty and cultural heritage, attracting thousands of visitors each year. Both sectors, if managed responsibly, can coexist.
In fact, many countries successfully balance resource extraction with eco-tourism by enforcing strict environmental standards and ensuring that mining operations rehabilitate land after use.
The real issue lies in misinformation. Some NGOs and investors deliberately exaggerate the environmental risks of mining, portraying it as a direct threat to conservation.
Communities are told that mining will destroy wildlife, pollute rivers, and erase tourism opportunities.
Yet these claims often ignore modern mining practices, regulatory frameworks, and the potential for sustainable coexistence.
Instead of promoting cooperation, these actors sow distrust, pushing conservation groups to stand against mining without considering the broader economic benefits.
Why this strategy? For some NGOs, opposing mining secures international funding and political influence. For certain investors, discouraging mining protects their own tourism interests. Unfortunately, the communities caught in the middle are left confused, misinformed, and divided.
Namibia does not need conflict between mining and tourism. What it needs is balance, transparency, and honest dialogue. Mining can bring development, while tourism can preserve heritage.
Together, they can strengthen Namibia’s economy and empower its people. But this requires rejecting false narratives and insisting on facts, not fear.
We call on the government, the courts, and all stakeholders to resist this manufactured conflict and to engage in honest dialogue that prioritises the long-term interests of our communities and our country.
Let us not allow foreign-funded agendas to divide us or to deny our people the benefits of responsible resource development.
Leonard Hoaeb is the chairperson of the Small Miners Association in Khorixas.
