Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
June 2026
The Namibian
Mahongora Kavihuhacalls forimplementation of reliable systems rather than depending on platforms prone to failure
Source
“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.”
Mahongora Kavihuhasaidthe rating should serve as a warning that workers' rights are not fully realised in practice
Source
“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.”
Trade Union Congress secretary general Mahongora Kavihuhasaidthe union's main concern was the pension preservation issue
Source
“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.”
Trade Union Congress secretary general Mahongora Kavihuhasaidincreases in medical aid contributions could worsen public servants' financial troubles
Source
“Meanwhile, Trade Union Congress of Namibia secretary general Mahongora Kavihuha said the reported increases in medical aid contributions could worsen public servants' financial troubles.”
Mahongora Kavihuhasigned letter requestingregional governors receive petitions from demonstrators
Source
“The letter, signed by a teachers' union leader, Mahongora Kavihuha, also requests that regional governors receive petitions from demonstrators, while calling on President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to personally receive the Windhoek petition.”
Mahongora Kavihuhaannounceda work pause on 20 March protesting salary increase and public healthcare directive.
Source
“Teachers Union of Namibia (TUN) Secretary General Mahongora Kavihuha announced the planned work pause on Tuesday, saying the action is intended to highlight the economic hardship faced by public servants and to formally submit a petition outlining their grievances.”
Trade Union Congress of Namibia secretary general Mahongora Kavihuhadescribed the directive asridiculous, insensitive and selfish
Source
“Trade Union Congress of Namibia secretary general Mahongora Kavihuha described the directive as ridiculous, insensitive and selfish, saying that in a democratic country, one creates dialogues and discusses them with people, rather than giving directives.”
Trade Union Congress secretary general Mahongora Kavihuhasaysno industrial revolution has had a catastrophic impact on jobs
Source
“Trade Union Congress secretary general Mahongora Kavihuha says no industrial revolution has had a catastrophic impact on jobs, and AI will not be any different.”
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.
Why it matters
Employment Equity Commission's five-year failure to publish required reports undermines monitoring of workplace discrimination and legal accountability.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.