Teachers Union of Namibia Secretary General who coordinated a nationwide work pause on 20 March 2026 to protest salary and healthcare reforms.
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The Namibian
TUN secretary general Mahongora Kavihuha signed the salary agreement
“Nust vice chancellor Frednard Gideon and TUN secretary general Mahongora Kavihuha signed the agreement in Windhoek on Tuesday.”
Nust, TUN agree on 5% pay riseThe Namibian
Trade Union Congress of Namibia secretary general Mahongora Kavihuha says trade unions treat strikes as last resort and resolve disputes through negotiations
“Trade Union Congress of Namibia secretary general Mahongora Kavihuha says trade unions already treat strikes as a last resort and first try to resolve disputes through negotiations with employers.”
Strikes should not be the first option – ImmanuelThe Namibian
Trade Union Congress of Namibia secretary general Mahongora Kavihuha calls on government to examine labour relations at state-owned enterprises
“He also calls on the government to examine labour relations at state-owned enterprises, saying disputes are more common at some government-linked companies.”
Strikes should not be the first option – ImmanuelThe Namibian
Tucna secretary general Mahongora Kavihuha accused Immanuel of interfering with labour and business's right to choose representatives
“Kavihuha accused Immanuel of interfering with the right of organised labour and business to choose their representatives.”
Unions, minister clash over labour councilNew Era
Mahongora Kavihuha was TUCNA's sole nominee for Labour Advisory Council appointment
“TUCNA refused to submit additional nominees, insisting that its original nominee, secretary general Mahongora Kavihuha, remains its sole representative for appointment to the Labour Advisory Council.”
Immanuel dissolves ‘ancient’labour councilWindhoek Observer
Teachers Union of Namibia secretary-general Mahongora Kavihuha stressed that government must address salary disparities through strengthened policy direction
“He stressed that the government should address the salary disparities by strengthening its policy direction, so that workers can start benefiting from their social security contributions.”
Cleaners at Social Security earn more than teachersThe Namibian
Mahongora Kavihuha calls for implementation of reliable systems rather than depending on platforms prone to failure
“To prevent similar delays in future, Kavihuha calls for the implementation of reliable systems rather than depending on platforms that are prone to failure and could place critical information at risk.”
Equity body in violation of own rulesWindhoek Observer
Mahongora Kavihuha said the rating should serve as a warning that workers' rights are not fully realised in practice
“TUCNA secretary general Mahongora Kavihuha said the rating should serve as a warning that workers' rights guaranteed by law are not always fully realised in practice.”
TUCNA urges govt to fix labour rights gapsWindhoek Observer
Trade Union Congress secretary general Mahongora Kavihuha said the union's main concern was the pension preservation issue
“The secretary general of the Trade Union Congress of Namibia (Tucna), Mahongora Kavihuha, said the union's main concern was the pension preservation issue, which has not been implemented.”
Pension funds, employers to pay interest on late benefit paymentsThe Namibian
Trade Union Congress secretary general Mahongora Kavihuha said increases in medical aid contributions could worsen public servants' financial troubles
“Meanwhile, Trade Union Congress of Namibia secretary general Mahongora Kavihuha said the reported increases in medical aid contributions could worsen public servants' financial troubles.”
Civil servants to feel Psemas pinchAcademic staff at the Namibia University of Science and Technology will receive a 5% salary increase effective from 1 January 2026, following negotiations between Nust and the Teachers' Union of Namibia for the 2026/27 financial year.
2 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Academic staff at the Namibia University of Science and Technology will receive a 5% salary increase effective from 1 January 2026, following negotiations between Nust and the Teachers' Union of Namibia for the 2026/27 financial year.
2 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Justice and Labour Relations Minister Wise Immanuel says workers and employers should prioritise talks and regular social dialogue to address workplace problems before resorting to strikes or demonstrations. He urged the government, employers and workers to use existing platforms to discuss labour issues collectively and proactively.
1 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Labour unions and employer organisations have accused justice and labour relations minister Wise Immanuel of attempting to unilaterally select representatives for the Labour Advisory Council. The groups say they have already submitted their preferred nominees according to established practice, but Immanuel has asked organisations entitled to three representatives to submit six names for him to choose from, and those entitled to one to submit two.
12 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Labour Minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel has blocked the reappointment of Labour Advisory Council members who served for up to 12 years, citing the need to inject fresh blood and promote fairness, diversity, and broader representation. The council, which advises the minister on labour matters, had some organizations resubmit only their preferred representatives rather than providing candidate lists as requested.
12 August 2026 · New Era →
Sources tell the Windhoek Observer that cleaners at the Social Security Commission earn approximately N$18,000 monthly, more than teachers on a cost-to-company basis, revealing a skewed remuneration structure as new leadership prepares salary reforms.
4 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Labour unions have rejected a proposal by a City of Windhoek councillor to split workers' monthly salaries into two payments each month. The National Union of Namibian Workers said the idea would not solve workers' financial challenges and would instead make it harder for low-income earners to meet their fixed monthly obligations.
26 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The Employment Equity Commission has not published its annual reports since 2019, violating legal requirements. The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations attributes this to budget constraints, staffing shortages, and software failures, but unions say the failure reflects incompetence and undermines monitoring of employment discrimination.
18 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Trade Union Congress of Namibia has called for urgent reforms to labour legislation after Namibia was placed in the "orange" category of the International Trade Union Confederation's Global Rights Index for violations of workers' rights. TUCNA highlighted concerns over restrictions affecting trade union registration, collective bargaining, and the right to strike, noting that while Namibia's labour framework provides strong protections on paper, workers face procedural and administrative barriers in practice.
5 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Pension and retirement funds must now pay interest to members if benefits are not transferred within 60 days of request, under regulations from the Financial Institutions and Markets Act 2021 that came into effect on 1 May. Employers must also pay retirement contributions on time or face interest charges, with both employers and their directors liable for unpaid contributions.
6 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations has ordered civil servants to reapply for Public Service Employees Medical Aid Scheme benefits by end of August following reforms to the scheme's operations. Trade unions have criticized the lack of consultation and warned that reported increases in medical aid contributions could severely impact civil servants' finances.
15 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Unions representing civil servants, including the Teachers Union of Namibia and the Namibia Nurses Union, staged a nationwide strike on 20 March 2026 to protest government reforms to the Public Service Medical Aid Scheme requiring them to use public health facilities. The unions argue the directive will negatively affect working conditions, citing concerns over deteriorating state healthcare facilities.
20 March 2026 · New Era →
Public servants and teachers plan to demonstrate on Friday against a 100% increase in Public Service Medical Aid Scheme contributions and a directive requiring treatment at public hospitals, calling it an Economic National Day of Action. The Teachers Union of Namibia says the presidential directive was implemented without consultation and violates basic employment conditions, though the education ministry has ordered schools to remain fully operational with staff attendance recorded.
20 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibian public servants will stage a nationwide work pause on 20 March to protest a five percent salary increase and a presidential directive requiring them to use public health facilities. Teachers Union of Namibia Secretary General Mahongora Kavihuha said the action aims to highlight economic hardship and deliver petitions to regional governors and State House, while unions involved in wage negotiations face potential legal action.
12 March 2026 · Informanté →
The education director in Omusati region has ordered teachers to cease all unauthorized income-generating activities outside their full-time jobs, warning of audits and disciplinary action under the Public Service Act. Teachers have resisted the directive, arguing that their low salaries force them to seek additional income to cover loans and living expenses, with union leaders noting the rule applies to all public servants but should be enforced more educatively.
11 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The government will pay 100% of medical aid for civil servants from 1 April, removing a 5% levy previously charged to service providers, while civil servants and senior officials must use public hospitals. The change follows an agreement between public sector unions and the Cabinet, and includes salary increments of 5% for most grades effective 1 April this year, with a further 5% increase from 2027.
27 February 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will use public health facilities after issuing a directive for state employees under the Public Service Employees Medical Aid Scheme (Psemas) to do the same as part of healthcare system reform. The Ministry of Health says it is strengthening medicine supply and staffing, though some civil servants question whether public hospitals are adequately resourced to handle increased patient loads.
25 February 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibia National Teachers' Union's Rundu branch reported concluding negotiations with government for a 5% salary increase for teachers in the 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 financial years, with no increase for 2025/2026, alongside increases in medical aid contributions. However, the Teachers Union of Namibia disputed the agreement, stating that any national-level salary deal must be publicly signed between recognized bargaining parties and that TUN has not been party to concluded negotiations.
24 February 2026 · New Era →