Namibia Minute.
Friday, 24 April 2026
A daily Namibian brief · Est. 2026
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Person

Maria Kambinda

Also known as: Kambinda · Petersen Kambinda · trade unionist · Peterson Kambinda · Elias Lyambayi Kambinda

Maria Kambinda — person living undocumented in Kavango West since 1997, unable to access employment or social services.

Business

Namib Mills strike nears resolution after company concessions

The News

Namibia Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union leader Petersen Kambinda says negotiations between striking Namib Mills workers and the company have progressed 80% toward an amicable solution, with agreement reached on salary and benefits. The remaining disagreements concern the December bonus and back pay, with the company offering 50% of the bonus and five months' back pay while the union seeks 100% of the bonus and seven months' back pay.

14 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 14 February

  1. Namib Mills strike nears resolution after company concessions

    Namibia Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union leader Petersen Kambinda says negotiations between striking Namib Mills workers and the company have progressed 80% toward an amicable solution, with agreement reached on salary and benefits. The remaining disagreements concern the December bonus and back pay, with the company offering 50% of the bonus and five months' back pay while the union seeks 100% of the bonus and seven months' back pay.

    14 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 2 February

  1. Namib Mills and union reach partial wage agreement

    Namib Mills and the Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union reached a partial agreement on wages after a three-week strike involving over 95% of workers, with the minister's mediation securing agreement on yearly salary boosts, salary adjustments, and allowances; three issues remain unresolved.

    2 February 2026 · New Era →

  2. Labour minister mediates progress in three-week Namib Mills strike

    Minister Wise Immanuel has mediated talks between Namib Mills and striking workers represented by Naretu, with agreement reached on salary increments, salary adjustments, allowances, and bonuses. Several issues remain unresolved, and the minister has ordered both parties to reach consensus by the end of next week.

    2 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 30 January

  1. Namib Mills says strike not causing food shortages yet

    Namib Mills has played down claims that an ongoing employee strike is leading to food shortages, saying it is prioritising major product lines and honouring client contracts. The union representing striking workers warned that continued industrial action could lead to a national crisis with shops running out of food by week's end, but a Namibian reporter found no evidence of shortages at sampled retailers.

    30 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 21 January

  1. Naretu becomes official union for Namibia Breweries workers

    The Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union (Naretu) has been recognised as the official union for Namibia Breweries Limited employees, replacing the Namibia Food and Allied Workers Union (Nafau) after gaining majority worker support in November. Both the union and brewery management have expressed commitment to sound labour relations.

    21 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 20 January

  1. Namib Mills wage talks collapse into second week of strike

    The strike at Namib Mills entered its second week on Monday with workers locked out across the country. The company's "final offer" includes a 5% salary increase and N$200 monthly transport allowance, but negotiations remain deadlocked over disputes regarding December bonuses and backpay, with the union accusing the company of using bonuses to punish strikers.

    20 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 19 January

  1. Namib Mills offers 10% pay rise amid ongoing strike

    Namib Mills has offered employees a 10% salary increment, which the company says is three times the inflation rate, but falls short of the union's demand for a 36% increase. Workers have entered their seventh day of striking while the company has implemented a lockout, with disputes over salary equity and allegations of strike rule violations.

    19 January 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 15 January

  1. Woman drops rape and assault case against domestic partner

    A rape and assault case in Windhoek Magistrate's Court was withdrawn after the complainant requested the charges be dropped, stating she had forgiven her boyfriend and wanted him free to provide for their family. The accused, who had been charged with rape and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm under the Domestic Violence Act, was released following the magistrate's decision to grant the withdrawal despite her reluctance given the serious nature of the charges.

    15 January 2026 · New Era →

  2. Namib Mills denies hiring workers to replace strikers

    Namib Mills has denied recruiting additional workers to replace striking employees, but the union Naretu claims the company has breached agreed strike and lockout rules by bringing in contract workers from labour contractors. Workers remain at an impasse with the company, camped outside its head office following a lockout issued after strike notice.

    15 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 12 January

  1. Namib Mills workers strike over wages, company locks out staff

    Workers at Namib Mills began striking on Monday after 683 of 710 employees voted to walk out in a wage dispute with management. The company has implemented a temporary lockout, with both sides having engaged the Labour Commissioner; Namib Mills says it remains willing to negotiate and has activated contingency plans to maintain food production.

    12 January 2026 · New Era →

Namibia Minute