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The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy has marked a historic milestone with the launch of the Women in Mining Namibia (WiMAN) Mentorship and Coaching Platform, a first-of-its-kind initiative not only in Namibia but across Africa on the 13th of June in Windhoek.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director and Accounting Officer of the Ministry, Ben Nangombe, commended the pioneering efforts of the Women in Mining Association of Namibia and emphasized the urgent need to close gender gaps in the mining sector. He pointed out that while women have made strides in the industry, their presence remains limited, particularly in technical, leadership, and supply chain roles.
Mining plays a central role in Namibia’s economy, but it remains one of the sectors where gender disparities are most pronounced, Nangombe said. This is not due to a lack of talent or ambition, but rather to limited access, opportunity, and the persistent weight of outdated norms.
He recalled hosting a recent electricity agreement signing ceremony where, notably, no women were present among the CEOs and senior managers of the country’s regional electricity distributors. When I asked, ‘Where are the women?’, one CEO replied, ‘The women are in mining!’ he shared. Today’s event proves that, but it also highlights the need to see women in electricity and every other sector.
The new mentorship and coaching platform aims to support women across all levels of the mining value chain from seasoned professionals to recent graduates and aspiring entrepreneurs. The program will offer guidance, skills transfer, leadership development, and networking opportunities designed to break longstanding barriers and foster inclusive participation.
This program has the potential to break barriers and accelerate career growth, Nangombe said. But the benefits go far beyond individual advancement. We’re talking about greater representation, boosting entrepreneurship, fostering confidence, and building supportive industry networks.
He urged mining companies to actively enrol their female employees in the mentorship programme and encouraged similar efforts across other industries. Empowering women is not just an ethical imperative. It is an economic one, he stressed.
Nangombe acknowledged the leadership of Kornelia Shilunga, former Deputy Minister of Mines and Energy and current Head of the Upstream Petroleum Unit in the Presidency, who serves as Patron of WiMAN. He praised her continued commitment to gender equity in the sector.
Today’s event represents the power of proactive leadership. Instead of waiting for change, the women in this sector have taken initiative. This platform is not only a national achievement, it is a continental one, he said.
As Namibia prepares to observe International Women in Mining Day on June 15, Nangombe concluded with a call for meaningful inclusion. The presence of women around the table must matter. Their voice must carry weight, meaning and impact. It must mean ownership, the power to shape processes and decisions.
The event was attended by several key industry stakeholders including WiMAN President Zenzi Awases, Chamber of Mines President George Botshiwe, Consolidated Copper Corporation CEO John Sisay, and other prominent figures in mining and energy.
The mentorship platform is set to redefine the future of mining in Namibia one where women not only participate, but lead, shape, and transform the industry.
