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

Wise Immanuel

Also known as: Justice and labour relations minister Wise Immanuel · Minister of justice and labour relations Wise Immanuel · Filemon Wise Immanuel · Justice Minister Wise Immanuel

Namibian Minister of Justice and Labour Relations who oversees labour disputes, community court operations, and legal service decentralization initiatives.

2024-07-182026-06-08
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What’s been said

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

  1. February 2026

  2. The Namibian

    Wise Immanuel ordered both parties to reach consensus on unresolved issues by end of next week

    Source

    “The minister ordered both parties to reach consensus on these issues by the end of next week.”

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

  4. New Era

    Minister of labour relations Wise Immanuel indicated that planned retrenchments had been placed on ice

    Source

    “Meanwhile, the minister of labour relations, Wise Immanuel, on Tuesday evening indicated that the planned retrenchments at Gendev had been placed on ice.”

    ‘Employees used as fishing quota bait’
Politics

Namibia presents development priorities at UN governance review session

The News

At the 52nd Universal Periodic Review in Geneva, Namibia outlined its national development drive centred on service delivery, economic resilience and governance reforms. The country emphasised the National Development Plan Six, which focuses on economic recovery, human development, green growth and effective governance, with poverty eradication and expanded social protection systems as key priorities.

Why it matters

A Namibia Minute pick.

7 May 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 7 May

  1. Namibia presents development priorities at UN governance review session

    At the 52nd Universal Periodic Review in Geneva, Namibia outlined its national development drive centred on service delivery, economic resilience and governance reforms. The country emphasised the National Development Plan Six, which focuses on economic recovery, human development, green growth and effective governance, with poverty eradication and expanded social protection systems as key priorities.

    7 May 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 6 May

  1. Namibia ranked first in Africa for gender equality

    Namibia has been ranked Africa's most gender-equal country and the only African nation in the global top 10, with an overall gender gap closed by over 81.1%. The country's achievement is attributed to progressive policies and institutional reforms, including being the first globally where women hold the top three government positions: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Vice President Lucia Witbooi, and National Assembly Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila.

    6 May 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 5 May

  1. Minister urges workers, employers, government collaboration

    Justice and labour relations minister Wise Immanuel called for stronger collaboration between workers, employers and government during International Workers' Day commemorations in Opuwo, saying such partnerships are essential to drive Namibia's economic growth and social development. He stressed the importance of tripartism to address labour challenges, with each stakeholder playing a critical role in strengthening the economy and improving working conditions.

    5 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Namibia resists international pressure for LGBTQ legal protections

    Namibia has firmly pushed back against international calls to expand legal protections for LGBTQ individuals, with Minister of Justice and Labour Relations Wise Immanuel defending the government's position at a UN review.

    5 May 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Monday 4 May

  1. Justice Minister visits Community Courts in Kunene Region

    The Minister of Justice and Labour Relations visited Community Courts in the Kunene Region on 29–30 April 2026 to assess operations, strengthen collaboration with traditional authorities, and ensure rural communities have access to justice services. The visit included stops at Aodaman and Fransfontein courts in Khorixas, and Otjikaoko and Vita Royal courts in Opuwo.

    4 May 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 1 May

  1. Justice minister hands over vehicles to rural community courts

    Justice and labour relations minister Wise Immanuel handed over two vehicles to the Otjikaoko and Ongandjera community courts at Opuwo to improve access to justice in remote areas. The minister said the initiative aligns with Namibia's Sixth National Development Plan and reflects government commitment to decentralizing legal services and strengthening public institutions.

    1 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 25 April

  1. President visits fisheries monitoring centre in Walvis Bay

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah visited the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources' regional office in Walvis Bay to assess the Vessel Monitoring System, a satellite-based tool used to track licensed fishing vessels and combat illegal fishing. The system has enabled detection and arrest of vessels violating fisheries laws over 14 years, though officials briefed the President on challenges including high maintenance costs, legal framework gaps, and emerging maritime crimes.

    25 April 2026 · Informanté →

Sunday 5 April

  1. President to appoint eight deputy ministers and new minister

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is expected to announce eight new deputy ministers and appoint deputy defence minister Charles Mubita as minister in the Presidency. The move comes despite her earlier decision to cut ministries and reduce Cabinet size, with critics and analysts warning that some merged ministries may now be too large to function effectively.

    5 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 30 March

  1. Gendev sends 90 employees home amid financial crisis

    About 90 permanent employees of Gendev Fishing Group were sent home last week, with no clarity on their status. The move follows the company's earlier notification of a contemplated retrenchment of 489 workers, attributed to sustained financial losses, reduced revenue, and an inadequate quota allocation of 3,351 metric tonnes against the company's 45,000-tonne annual capacity.

    30 March 2026 · New Era →

Saturday 28 March

  1. Swapo-linked fishing firm sends workers home unpaid

    Fishing company Gendev Fishing, partially owned by Swapo, sent approximately 80–90 permanent employees home without pay on 23 March with no clarity on when salaries would be restored, after previously announcing plans to retrench 489 workers due to operational challenges and limited fishing quotas.

    28 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 19 March

  1. Mine Workers Union meets minister over diamond sector retrenchments

    The Mine Workers Union of Namibia met with the Minister of Justice and Labour Relations to discuss looming retrenchments in the diamond cutting and polishing sector, including 35 workers facing job losses at Almond Diamonds after the company's quota was terminated by the Namibia Diamond Trading Company. The Union called for policy reforms, stronger worker protections, and tripartite engagement in mining sector governance.

    19 March 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 18 March

  1. SSC manager alleges CEO Mungunda interfered in procurement processes

    A Social Security Commission manager has formally requested an internal audit investigation into whether CEO Milka Mungunda improperly influenced procurement processes linked to the planned National Pension Fund and National Medical Benefit Fund. The investigation is expected to determine whether procurement procedures and governance rules were followed during preparations for implementing the two national funds.

    18 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 17 March

  1. Oshikoto governor denies political bias in Independence Day speaker selection

    Oshikoto Governor Sacky Kathindi denied that keynote speakers for regional Independence Day celebrations were chosen based on political affiliation, saying the selection was a collective decision focused on the region's challenges and service delivery rather than party considerations.

    17 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 16 March

  1. Oshikoto Independence Day speakers defended as national, not partisan

    Nahas Angula and regional officials have defended the selection of 11 Swapo members as speakers for Oshikoto's 36th Independence Day event, saying the invitations were issued by the regional council and constituency leadership based on availability and status as leaders, not political affiliation. They acknowledge that Independence Day is a national event open to all Namibians and claim non-Swapo members were also invited, though specifics were not provided.

    16 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 13 March

  1. Government reemploys 222 Walu Fishing workers through redress scheme

    The government is facilitating the re-employment of 222 former Walu Fishing workers through a redress programme involving four companies following a labour dispute. Walu Fishing lost its 2026 fishing quota after disputes with workers and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Land Reform.

    13 March 2026 · The Namibian →

  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. Government reintegrates 222 Walu Fishing workers through redress programme

    The government will reintegrate 222 workers from Walu Fishing through agreements with four fishing companies under the Government Employment Redress Programme, as part of efforts to address labour grievances and promote job creation in the sector. Recent consultations at Walvis Bay clarified employment obligations and worker placement, with companies instructed to submit signed contracts to enable the government to finalise designation agreements and release fishing quotas.

    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 →

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 →

Monday 23 February

  1. Justice Minister urges urgent security protection for magistrates and prosecutors

    Namibia's Justice Minister Filemon Wise Immanuel has urgently requested residential security protection for all magistrates and prosecutors following the death of Magistrate Justine Shiweda and rising threats against judicial officers in Grootfontein and Ondangwa. Immanuel warned that attacks on judges threaten the independence of the justice system and emphasised that financial constraints cannot delay protecting those who administer justice.

    23 February 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 17 February

  1. Justice minister hosts staff kapana lunch to build morale

    Justice and Labour Relations Minister Wise Immanuel invited his ministry's staff to a kapana lunch as a leadership initiative to strengthen trust, teamwork and collaboration, as well as demonstrate support for small and medium enterprises and informal traders.

    17 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 5 February

  1. Justice minister withdraws threat comment in parliament row

    Justice and labour relations minister Wise Immanuel was forced to withdraw a comment in parliament that opposition members interpreted as a physical threat toward AR MP George Kambala during a debate on an oil exploration bill. The speaker ruled the remark inappropriate, though Immanuel denied wrongdoing and claimed he was merely responding to interruptions.

    5 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 2 February

  1. 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. Fishing companies accused of leveraging job cuts for quota demands

    Industry players and unionists allege that fishing companies are threatening mass layoffs to pressure the government for increased quotas, with Gendev announcing the retrenchment of over 400 workers. The labour minister has placed Gendev's retrenchments on hold pending stakeholder consultation and rejected proposals to allocate quotas directly to employees.

    30 January 2026 · New Era →

Wise Immanuel — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute