My position statement: Competition must triumph in Namibia’s cement industry
I have followed with keen interest the proposed acquisition and merger of Schwenk Namibia by Whale Rock Cement. The Namibia Competition Commission’s (NACC) first public stakeholder engagement on the proposed acquisition of shares in Schwenck Namibia Pty Limited (Schwenk Namibia) by West China Cement (WCC) was held on 9 July 2020 in Windhoek, at the Commission’s chambers
I have followed with keen interest the proposed acquisition and merger of Schwenk Namibia by Whale Rock Cement. The Namibia Competition Commission’s (NACC) first public stakeholder engagement on the proposed acquisition of shares in Schwenck Namibia Pty Limited (Schwenk Namibia) by West China Cement (WCC) was held on 9 July 2020 in Windhoek, at the Commission’s chambers. A second stakeholders’ conference on the same matter was held on 5 June 2025 at Protea Hotel in Windhoek. I attended both in person, participated actively, and on each occasion stated my objection to the proposed acquisition and merger clearly and without equovocation.
On both occasions, NACC, drawing on stakeholder input and its own analysis, objected to the proposed acquisition and merger. It gave sound reasons for doing so.
The Ministry of Mines and Energy plays a pivotal role as custodian of Namibia’s natural resources and must ensure that these resources are explored, developed and utilized responsibly, in a manner that grows and sustains the Namibian economy for the benefit of its people. This cannot be overstated. NACC, by contrast, is an independent statutory body established under the Competition Act, 2003 (Act No. 2 of 2003), mandated to promote and safeguard competition in the Namibian economy for the benefit of consumers, businesses and the country as a whole.
