President unveils rare 176-carat diamond recovered in Oranjemund
Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah unveiled a rare 176-carat diamond named 'Owishi' discovered at the Southern Coastal Mine. The event highlighted the importance of the diamond industry to Namibia's economy and the government's commitment to ethical mining practices.
Why it matters
The discovery underscores Namibia's role in the global diamond market and highlights the ongoing economic partnership between the state and De Beers.
PRESIDENT Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has unveiled the 176.29-carat “Owishi” diamond recovered by Namdeb at its Southern Coastal Mine in Oranjemund, describing the discovery as a source of national pride and an opportunity to strengthen Namibia’s position in the global natural diamond market while increasing local value from the resource.
The diamond was recovered on 10 May 2026 and is the largest diamond of its kind recovered at the Southern Coastal Mine in the past two decades.
The diamond was named “Owishi”, an Oshiwambo term referring to a rare form of honey found underground that is notoriously difficult to locate. Its rarity and difficulty of discovery were cited as fitting the significance of the diamond.
During the unveiling on Wednesday at the Namibia Diamond Trading Company (NDTC) Building in Windhoek, Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasised the role of mining as a key contributor to Namibia’s economy and development.
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