Namibia Minute.
Monday, 8 June 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Monday, 8 June 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

Namib Mills

Also known as: Namib Mills (Pty) Ltd

Food manufacturer and grain processor whose employees undertook multi-week strikes in 2026 over wage and benefits disputes.

2021-05-282026-06-08
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What’s been said

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

  1. January 2026

  2. New Era

    Namib Mills activated contingency plans for continued production and supply during lockout

    Source

    “Namib Mills has activated contingency plans to ensure the continued production and supply of core food products during the lockout period.”

    Namib Mills workers down tools …wage dispute leads to temporary lockout
  3. April 2022

  4. The Namibian

    Namib Mills is famous for pap

    Source

    “KFC is famous for the chicken dipped in 11 herbs, Namib Mills is famous for the pap, Metro sells the pap, and Cheetah Cement brings you the main staple food.”

    Election 2024 – The Full Bouquet
  5. May 2021

  6. The Namibian

    Namib Mills launched Kitchen 82, a concept space with interactive dining experiences and cooking classes

    Source

    “Kitchen 82 is a unique concept space located in Windhoek at Namib Mills' head office.”

    Namib Mills Launches Kitchen 82

  7. The Namibian

    Namib Mills prides itself in creating platforms to uplift Namibians and focus on SME development

    Source

    “Namib Mills prides itself in creating platforms to uplift Namibians, and focuses on the importance of small and medium enterprise (SME) development, creating sustainable livelihoods for all.”

    Namib Mills Launches Kitchen 82
Politics

TUCNA calls for labour law reforms after rights violations rating

The News

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.

Why it matters

Namibia's 'orange' labour rights rating and TUCNA's call for urgent reforms signal a critical domestic issue affecting millions of workers and the country's legal standing.

5 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Friday 5 June

  1. 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 8 April

  1. MTC 4Life trains youth in practical skills and entrepreneurship

    MTC's flagship corporate social investment program, launched in 2022, equips young Namibians aged 18–35 with vocational training in trades including baking, hairdressing, and cell phone repair, providing each trainee with N$5,000 in startup support and tools. Since launch, the initiative has trained 161 youth countrywide and invested approximately N$6 million.

    8 April 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 26 March

  1. Namib Mills, MTC partner on youth baking skills training

    Namib Mills has partnered with MTC to sponsor baking training as part of the MTC 4 Life 2026 programme, contributing N$5,000 per trainee and providing baking expertise and equipment. The initiative aims to equip 30 unemployed and self-employed young people aged 18–35 in the ||Kharas region with practical, income-generating skills, with training to commence in April 2026.

    26 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 17 March

  1. Feedmaster marks 43 years serving Namibian livestock farmers

    Feedmaster, a leading animal feed producer founded in 1983 as a Namib Mills subsidiary, has expanded from producing maize chop to operating three plants with over 220,000 tonnes annual capacity, and has acquired regional operations and established laboratories to support Namibia's livestock sector.

    17 March 2026 · New Era →

Friday 13 March

  1. Namib Mills workers end 59-day strike with union wage agreement

    The Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union (Naretu) and Namib Mills have concluded a wage deal ending a strike involving close to 1,000 workers. Under the agreement, workers will receive back pay and bonuses this week, with improved benefits automatically implemented from 1 July 2026 without further negotiation.

    13 March 2026 · New Era →

  2. Namib Mills, union reach deal ending 59-day strike

    Namib Mills and the Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union have ended a 59-day strike involving about 1,000 workers. Under the agreement, workers will receive part of last year's benefits and bonuses, with backpay expected next week and improved benefits from 1 July 2026 automatically incorporated.

    13 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 12 March

  1. Namib Mills strike ends after 59 days with wage agreement

    A 59-day strike by nearly 700 Namib Mills workers across Namibia has ended following an agreement with the employer. The union secured improved benefits for 2026, including partial bonus payments on Friday and back pay the following week, with full benefits to take effect from 1 July.

    12 March 2026 · Informanté →

  2. Employers warn draft dispute resolution bill risks political intervention

    The Namibian Employers Federation has cautioned that a draft alternative dispute resolution bill, which would allow the justice and labour minister to direct a new commission to mediate disputes deemed in the national interest, could open the door to political involvement in workplace conflicts. While labour analysts note the provision is limited to mediation requiring both parties' agreement, concerns remain about how "national interest" would be defined and the potential for ministerial overreach.

    12 March 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Nine-week Namib Mills strike ends with union wage agreement

    Namibia Revolutionary Transport Union and Namib Mills have signed an agreement ending a nine-week industrial action, with workers to receive backpay and bonus portions, and benefits negotiated through 2026.

    12 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 10 March

  1. Namib Mills ready to conclude wage agreement with workers

    Namib Mills and the Namibia Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union have made meaningful progress in wage negotiations and reached broad agreement on substantive wage issues, but talks have stalled after the union introduced items outside the scope of the dispute. The industrial action, which began in January 2026 after months of failed negotiations, involved nearly 700 workers across multiple depots demanding higher wages, housing and transport allowances, and full December bonuses.

    10 March 2026 · New Era →

  2. Namibia Breweries trains companies on responsible alcohol consumption

    Namibia Breweries Limited conducted a half-day training session for human resource and safety managers from 12 major companies in Windhoek to promote responsible and moderate alcohol consumption in the workplace. The initiative aims to help companies address alcohol misuse and strengthen wellness and safety programmes, with NBL emphasizing that alcohol-related disruption should be treated as an operational risk.

    10 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 9 March

  1. Namib Mills strike enters ninth week with no agreement

    Namib Mills workers represented by Naretu have failed to reach a wage deal with the food manufacturer despite four rounds of mediated negotiations, with the union citing threats of disciplinary hearings and what it calls company "arrogance." The company claims it has agreed on wage issues and is ready to end the lockout, but says the union has added demands outside the scope of wage negotiations and blames workers for unlawful strike conduct.

    9 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 7 March

  1. Namib Mills strike reaches day 54 amid two months unpaid

    The Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union reports that close to 1,000 workers at Namib Mills sites in Windhoek, Otavi and Walvis Bay have been on strike for 54 days and have gone two months without pay due to the company's "no work, no pay" policy. The union's secretary-general has called on President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to intervene, warning of potential food shortages if the dispute is not resolved.

    7 March 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 3 March

  1. Government and private sector mobilize N$13m to prevent livestock disease

    Namibia has launched an FMD Support Fund and Task Force to protect its N$15 billion livestock industry from Foot-and-Mouth Disease, with 11 partners pledging nearly N$13 million. The effort aims to strengthen surveillance, border biosecurity, and response capacity amid heightened risk from FMD outbreaks in neighbouring countries.

    3 March 2026 · New Era →

  2. Namibia launches N$13 million foot-and-mouth disease fund

    Namibia's newly established foot-and-mouth disease support fund, organized by farmers' unions, the Directorate of Veterinary Services, and the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia, has raised N$12.76 million from corporations and unions to strengthen biosecurity and emergency response. The fund aims to raise N$50 million to complement N$57 million allocated by the agriculture ministry for awareness, prevention, and rapid response efforts.

    3 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 2 March

  1. Private, public sectors pledge N$11m to FMD prevention fund

    Private and public sector partners have pledged over N$11.2 million towards a newly launched Foot and Mouth Disease Support Fund targeting N$50 million to strengthen Namibia's prevention capacity, veterinary surveillance, and outbreak response. The move comes as Namibia faces increasing FMD risk from neighbouring South Africa and Botswana, with a national FMD Task Force established to coordinate prevention and containment strategies.

    2 March 2026 · New Era →

Friday 27 February

  1. Agriculture Ministry launches FMD support fund and task force

    Namibia's Ministry of Agriculture has established the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Support Fund and FMD Task Force to protect the livestock sector against potential outbreaks, with private sector pledges including N$2 million each from Bank Windhoek and FirstRand, and N$3 million annually from the Namibia Agricultural Union. The initiatives will support vaccination campaigns, border biosecurity, veterinary infrastructure, and farmer awareness programmes to safeguard Namibia's N$15 billion livestock industry.

    27 February 2026 · Informanté →

  2. Namibia launches FMD support fund with N$11 million pledged

    The foot-and-mouth disease support fund was officially launched at the agriculture ministry with industry pledges of N$11 million. The fund, a coordinated effort between the four national farmers' unions and the Directorate of Veterinary Services, aims to finance awareness programmes, farmer training, and rapid responses to any outbreak, with a first-phase target of N$50 million.

    27 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 20 February

  1. Namib Mills warns of retrenchments as strike enters sixth week

    Local food manufacturer Namib Mills has warned of potential retrenchments if workers reject its latest offer, which includes salary alignment, 50% of December bonus, and five months' backpay. Union leaders are holding out for 100% of the bonus and seven months' backpay, saying they will not operate on the company's deadlines.

    20 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 →

Thursday 12 February

  1. Top Score Seven-a-Side football tournament launched for 26th year

    The Top Score Seven-a-Side football tournament, one of Namibia's longest-running sporting events, was launched for its 26th year on Tuesday with a record 72 teams competing across eight groups. The tournament, held annually since 2001 at Ramblers Sport Club and sponsored by Namib Mills, runs over five weekends with finals scheduled for 13–14 March.

    12 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 →

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. 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 →

Wednesday 14 January

  1. Namib Mills workers strike over wage disparity after failed talks

    Workers at Namibia's largest grain processor embarked on industrial action after the company imposed a lockout in response to their strike, which follows six months of failed salary negotiations. The union is demanding wage alignment and an end to salary disparities where newly hired workers earn more than long-serving employees in the same roles.

    14 January 2026 · Informanté →

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 →

Namib Mills — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute