Namibia: Cheetah Cement is reportedly facing the closure of its operations, putting 87 jobs at risk at its integrated plant in Otavi, Otzjozondjupa Region. It has faced sustained financial losses due to import restrictions on cement exported to Botswana and Zimbabwe, combined with a lack of demand in the local market. Cheetah Cement spokesperson Tabby Moyo said that consultations are currently ongoing between the government, the company and the Mineworks Union of Namibia (MUN) to resolve the situation.
MUN unionist Reginald Kock says the union has been notified, and that negotiations will begin on 23 March 2026.“We are talking about 90% of the workforce set to lose jobs, and as a union we cannot allow such a thing to happen. We need to find alternatives,” said Kock.
Cheetah Cement is owned by Whale Rock Cement, a Chinese-owned company that had previously failed to merge Cheetah Cement with Schwenk Namibia in 2025. It reportedly made a loss in each of the past eight financial years since it started clinker production.
