Mahongora Kavihuha

Secretary General of the Teachers Union of Namibia, leading public sector wage negotiations and labour action.

2022-08-072026-08-21

What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

February 2026
25 FebThe Namibian
Trade Union Congress of Namibia secretary general Mahongora Kavihuha described the directive as ridiculous, 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.”
President Nandi-Ndaitwah to use public hospitals under Psemas directive
24 FebNew Era
Mahongora Kavihuha said his union is not aware of any concluded negotiations at the national level
Source
“In an interview yesterday, TUN secretary general Mahongora Kavihuha said his union is not aware of any concluded negotiations at the national level.”
Nantu ‘accepts’ 5% salary increment
December 2024
22 DecThe Namibian
Trade Union Congress secretary general Mahongora Kavihuha says no 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.”
Namibian banks embrace AI to boost efficiency and save millions

Politics

Unions, employers dispute minister's LAC nomination process

The News

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 →

Wednesday 12 August

Unions, employers dispute minister's LAC nomination process
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 blocks reappointment of long-serving council members
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 →

Tuesday 4 August

Social Security cleaners earn more than teachers, sources say
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 →

Sunday 26 July

Labour unions reject salary-splitting proposal from Windhoek councillor
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 →

Thursday 18 June

Employment Equity Commission fails to publish reports for five years
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 →

Friday 5 June

TUCNA calls for labour law reforms after rights violations rating
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 →

Wednesday 6 May

New rules require interest on late pension benefit transfers
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 →

Wednesday 15 April

Civil servants face Psemas reforms, reapply by August deadline
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 →

Friday 20 March

Civil service unions stage nationwide strike over Psemas reforms
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 →
Teachers, public servants plan Friday demo against medical aid changes
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 →

Thursday 12 March

Public servants plan nationwide work pause March 20
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 →

Wednesday 11 March

Omusati education director bans teachers from side businesses
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 →

Friday 27 February

Government covers full medical aid costs for civil servants
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 →

Wednesday 25 February

President to use public hospitals under new Psemas directive
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 →

Tuesday 24 February

Nantu reports 5% salary deal for teachers; TUN disputes agreement
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 →