Namibia Minute.
Tuesday, 6 October 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Tuesday, 6 October 2026
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Namibian press · Person

Petersen Kambinda

Petersen Kambinda — leader of the Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union, appears in coverage of wage negotiations and labour disputes.

2026-01-122026-10-06

What’s been said

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

  1. February 2026
  2. The Namibian

    Naretu leader Petersen Kambinda called for Immanuel to intervene in the strike

    Source

    “Naretu leader Petersen Kambinda on Monday called for Immanuel to intervene in the strike.”

    Labour minister Immanuel intervenes in Namib Mills strike
  3. January 2026
  4. The Namibian

    Petersen Kambinda said long strike will eventually lead to national crisis and shops running out of food by end of week

    Source

    “"If we don't find the solution, it will start touching households. Shops are going to run out of food, possibly by the end of this week," Naretu commander in chief Petersen Kambinda said on Monday.”

    No food shortages – Namib Mills
  5. The Namibian

    Naretu chief Petersen Kambinda said the relationship between Naretu and Namibia breweries will be based on sound labour relations

    Source

    “"We are hopeful that the relationship between Naretu and Namibia breweries will be based on sound labour relations," Naretu chief Petersen Kambinda told The Namibian on Wednesday.”

    Namibian breweries employees choose new union
  6. The Namibian

    Naretu commander-in-chief Petersen Kambinda says the 10% figure is misleading, offering only 5% increase on basic salary

    Source

    “However, Naretu commander-in-chief Petersen Kambinda says that figure is misleading.”

    Negotiations at Namib Mills deadlocked
  7. The Namibian

    Kambinda says the company is using bonuses to punish striking workers

    Source

    “"The company is using the bonus in order to punish the striking workers," Kambinda said.”

    Negotiations at Namib Mills deadlocked
  8. The Namibian

    Naretu commander-in-chief Petersen Kambinda said truck driver's employment contravened strike rules

    Source

    “The driver of the truck is not a previous contractor, and his employment therefore contravened strike rules, Naretu commander-in-chief Petersen Kambinda said yesterday.”

    Namib Mills denies hiring extra workers during strike
  9. New Era

    Petersen Kambinda said workers are tired of being exploited and took company to Office of the Labour Commissioner

    Source

    “He, however, voiced that the workers are tired of being exploited by Namib Mills, leading to the union's decision to take the company to the Office of the Labour Commissioner.”

    Namib Mills workers down tools …wage dispute leads to temporary lockout
Politics

Opposition, unions support security plates but warn on costs

The News

Parliamentary opposition and transport-sector stakeholders back the government's plan to introduce high-security vehicle number plates with QR codes to combat fraud, but warn that the cost of transition must not fall on already-struggling public transport operators like taxi and bus services.

7 hours ago · The Namibian →

Yesterday

  1. Opposition, unions support security plates but warn on costs

    Parliamentary opposition and transport-sector stakeholders back the government's plan to introduce high-security vehicle number plates with QR codes to combat fraud, but warn that the cost of transition must not fall on already-struggling public transport operators like taxi and bus services.

    7 hours ago · The Namibian →

Friday 25 September

  1. NARETU, AA Namibia launch defensive driving training for truck drivers

    The Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union (NARETU) and the Automobile Association of Namibia have signed a memorandum of understanding to provide defensive driving training to truck drivers, aiming to improve driver competency and reduce road crashes by equipping drivers with practical skills to respond to hazardous situations.

    25 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 17 September

  1. Howard House Manufacturing disputes union attempt to remove workers

    Snack company Howard House Manufacturing says it deployed security after union representatives attempted to remove employees from the factory during a labour inspection on Monday. Naretu-represented employees had resolved to strike Friday following failed wage negotiations, prompting the company to initiate a lock-out.

    17 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 16 September

  1. Snack manufacturer uses armed security during worker strike

    Howard House Manufacturing, a Namibian snack producer, deployed masked, armed Xiphos security guards during a strike by workers demanding a N$1,400 salary increase. Union representatives claimed the security prevented workers from leaving the premises and locked shop stewards inside for two hours during morning inspections.

    16 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 6 September

  1. NARETU and Welwitchia University establish internship partnership

    The Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union (NARETU) and Welwitchia University have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide practical internship opportunities for law students in areas including dispute resolution, arbitration, and labour rights advocacy, aiming to bridge academic legal education with workplace experience.

    6 September 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 5 August

  1. NARETU marks fifth anniversary with worker outreach programme

    The Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union will celebrate its fifth anniversary on 8 August 2026 with a worker-focused outreach programme in Windhoek, offering free consultations, labour education, health awareness and financial guidance to approximately 400 workers.

    5 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 4 August

  1. Namibia offers two-month amnesty for expired traffic fines

    Motorists with expired admission of guilt traffic fines can now settle outstanding fines via electronic funds transfer from August 3 to September 30, without appearing in court. The Office of the Judiciary and police announced the amnesty to help clear outstanding traffic matters and reduce case backlogs, though the Namibia Bus and Taxi Association argues the government should consider writing off fines instead.

    4 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 26 July

  1. 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 →

Monday 29 June

  1. Namibian truck drivers withdraw from South Africa over xenophobia concerns

    Namibian transport companies are withdrawing drivers from South Africa ahead of a planned anti-immigrant protest and a 30 June deadline set by protesters for illegal immigrants to leave. The withdrawals are disrupting cross-border trade, with companies citing driver safety concerns and insurer warnings of security risks.

    29 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 12 May

  1. Truck drivers criticise border post delays and system inefficiencies

    The chief of the Namibian Revolutionary Transport Union has criticised long delays at border posts, blaming slow processes within the Namibia Revenue Agency and calling for contingency plans. A truck driver cited extended waits during verification and inspection at Oshikango Border Post.

    12 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Friday 1 May

  1. Naretu, NBL sign wage deal with 5% salary increase

    The Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union (Naretu) and Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL) have signed a wage agreement granting NBL employees a 5% salary increase, an adjusted housing allowance of N$2,000 per month, and salary alignment measures, effective from 1 January to 31 December, with all adjustments backdated to January.

    1 May 2026 · The Namibian →

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. 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 →

  2. 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 →

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 →

  2. Zambian bridge collapse disrupts regional truck traffic

    Heavy rains destroyed a key bridge at Kasumbalesa Border Post in Zambia, forcing 700 SADC truck drivers to take alternative routes to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Despite authorities temporarily fixing the bridge within 48 hours, logistics companies face higher fuel and operational costs, affecting trade flow of mining inputs and mineral exports across the region.

    9 March 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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

Petersen Kambinda — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute