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On 10 May, a 176.29-carat diamond was recovered from the Southern Coastal Mine in Oranjemund and was named Owishi, after a rare underground honey in Oshiwambo culture. | Source: Namdeb Diamond Corporation

Major diamond discovery revitalises Namibia prospects

Posted October 13, 2026 | By Jeweller Staff

At a coastal mine in Namibia, the largest diamond ‘of its kind’ discovered in the past two decades has been showcased in public for the first time.

Namdeb is a joint venture between the Namibian Government and the De Beers Group. On 10 May, a 176.29-carat diamond was recovered from the Southern Coastal Mine in Oranjemund and was named Owishi, after a rare underground honey in Oshiwambo culture.

Namdeb described Owishi as the largest diamond of its type recovered at the operation in the past 20 years. Its specific classification remains undisclosed.

Namibian president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was photographed with the diamond in Windhoek on 30 September. She called the discovery a milestone for Namdeb and a source of national pride, and said she hoped the country's mineral wealth would support shared prosperity.

“There’s a lot of honey we hope to generate from this stone,” Nandi-Ndaitwah told reporters.

“This must be a clear indication that our diamonds are still there and the natural diamond is here to serve us."

The company announced the discovery several months after recovering the diamond. The announcement further aligns with Namdeb’s coastal mining development, following its 2021 approval to extend mine life to 2042.

Namdeb has not confirmed whether its exploration activities recovered Owishi or disclosed any plans to sell the diamond. Diamond mining in Namibia began in 1908.