Chinese ‘honeymoon’ in Namibia under threat

MATHIAS HAUFIKUWINDHOEKWhen Chinese economic migrants descended upon Namibia around 1999, little did Namibians know that they would one day have to take to the streets to protest against “preferential treatment for Chinese businesses”.There have been public concerns that the Chinese community in Namibia is receiving special treatment from the authorities which helped them to build a strong business presence in the country, one estimated to be worth billions.Chinese nationals are running thousands of shops across Namibia and have woven their way into lucrative industries such as construction, tourism, restaurants and real estate.Of late, Namibians have decided to take matters into their own hands in a bid to force the government to ensure that local businesses and foreign businesses are regulated equally.Tuesday’s unsuccessful bail outcome of jailed activists Dimbulukeni Nauyoma and Michael Amushelelo was seemingly a tipping point. The two are charged with public violence and incitement to commit an offence.Soon after being briefed that the duo was denied bail, hundreds of protesters who had gathered outside the Katutura magistrate’s court marched along Mungunda Street on their way to Chinatown, disrupting the traffic flow just before lunch hour.Some protesters could be heard chanting “Chinese honeymoon is over”!With youth unemployment at an all-time high in the country, it was no surprise that the group of protesters mainly comprised of young people.Seemingly tipped-off about the impending arrival of the protesters, business owners at China’s economic and trading hub in Namibia moved fast to lock the doors of their businesses, while others rushed to leave the premises to avoid the protesters.Trading at Chinatown stopped before lunch hour on Friday, with business owners fearing that their businesses could become collateral damage.NEFF leaders Epafras Muukwiilongo and Ipumbu Kalimbo were also on the scene to ensure that protesters vent their frustrations in a peaceful manner.“We must maintain high morale and high discipline,” Kalimbo repeatedly told protesters.Apart from isolated incidents of protesters trying to block the road, police officers who were dispatched had little to do; in fact, many of them could be seen chatting with protesters.“We are not violent and even the police can tell you that this is a peaceful protest. You can see that we are just demonstrating in front of Chinatown, we did not even force anyone to close their shop, the Chinese close their shops for reasons known to them only,” said one of the protesters who chose not to be named.Nauyoma and Amushelelo were in high spirits after Magistrate Kwizi Masule delivered his judgment, talking to friends and families before being ushered away by the police.The two have since instructed their legal teams to launch an appeal in the High Court, which if not successful, would mean they have to spend a large part of winter in police custody until their next appearance on July 5.

Chinese ‘honeymoon’ in Namibia under threat

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

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Chinese ‘honeymoon’ in Namibia under threat

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

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