Cuts in government income from diamond royalties will be almost half, according to the new budget figures, said Nora Schimming-Chase of the oppositional CoD party in parliament. Speaking on Tuesday afternoon during the budget debate, Schimming-Chase said she wanted an explanation from Finance Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila who had promised a 1 percent budget surplus from next year, why she expected a 50% decrease in diamond royalties, down from N$500 million to N$ 240 million, according to the budget document. The CoD politician further demanded some information from the finance minister with regard to the August 26 Holding Company of the defence ministry, which operates a diamond mine in the DRC.

A black empowerment company is plans to establish the biggest shopping complex in the whole of Namibia. The multi-million dollar complex will be situated at Oshikango (renamed Helao Nafidi) right on the Angolan border. The Mbok Investment Company is currently calling for tenders for the real estate management of the future Northland City, as the complex will be called. According to unconfirmed sources, some Angolan business people are also involved in this venture.