MUN: Unity forged in the mines

“Union membership is not just a legacy of Namibia’s past – it is a living force for justice, dignity and economic empowerment today,” says the President of the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN), Poco-Key Mberiuana.“As Namibia continues to confront inequality, unemployment, and the pressures of a globalised economy, the role of trade unions remains as vital as ever,” he insists.According to Mberiuana, the foundations of Namibia’s organised labour movement were the spark that ignited the flames of the country’s liberation struggle. “The existence of labour movements that were inclusive of black workers can be traced back as early as 1924, when the first recorded indigenous trade unions were reportedly established in Lüderitz.”A pivotal milestone in Namibia’s labour movement was the founding of the Ovamboland People’s Congress (OPC) on 2 August 1957. The OPC was established to fight for the rights of migrant workers against the exploitative South West African Native Labour Association (SWANLA), a labour contracting organisation that recruited many people from northern Namibia to work on farms and in mines, the labour leader elaborates.“Workers in Namibian compounds responded well to the OPC, as it became the only structured organisation that addressed their concerns about poor treatment, substandard working conditions, and frequent human rights abuses,” he says.The OPC became the ideological forerunner to the Ovamboland People’s Organisation (OPO), established in 1959 with the central aim of abolishing the contract labour system and demanding political, social and economic emancipation. These demands evolved into a broader liberation movement, culminating in the establishment of the South West African People’s Organisation (SWAPO) in 1960, which has since become Namibia’s ruling party.“Namibian contract workers formed a central component of SWAPO in its formative years,” says Mberiuana.By the time Namibia gained independence in 1990, unions such as the MUN were a formidable force. “They enjoyed massive support and played a critical role in ensuring SWAPO’s victory in Namibia’s first democratic elections in 1989,” he says.Challenges remainWhile Namibia has made significant progress since independence, many workers still face low wages, poor working conditions and workplace intimidation.“The history of Namibia shows that when workers unite, they can break the chains of oppression and shape the destiny of the nation,” says the MUN president.Since its formal establishment in 1986, the MUN has promoted collective bargaining, negotiating wages, benefits and working conditions with mining companies on behalf of its members, according to Secretary-General George Ampweya.Other core functions include legal representation and advocacy for members involved in disputes – both with employers and within the union – as well as ensuring compliance with the Labour Act. The union also advocates for workplace safety, holding companies accountable for occupational health standards and addressing incidents such as fatalities, while pushing for improved safety measures.MilestonesAmpweya highlights a major milestone: the creation of the Namibia Miners Investment Trust (NAMIT) on 7 July 1997. Beneficiaries include current and former MUN members, their dependants and their communities.NAMIT later established Namibia Mineworkers Investment Holdings Company (NAM-MIC Holdings) to generate additional revenue beyond limited membership fees, says Ampweya.Initial capital for NAM-MIC Holdings came via a N$600,000 loan from NAMIT, which has since been repaid. NAM-MIC Holdings now seeks sustainable financial and social returns via investments in key sectors such as vocational training, property, retail, manufacturing, ICT, healthcare, tourism, fishing and financial services. Its portfolio has grown to a net asset value of N$800 million.Investments and empowermentTo improve services for its 10,000+ members, the MUN launched a direct benefits strategy. This included selling 25% of NAMIT’s shares in NAM-MIC Holdings to members, former members and their dependants via a new company: Just Transition Investments Limited Namibia (JTT), which owns NAMITVEST Holdings.On 13 August 2024, JTT registered with Transfer Secretaries, a Namibian Stock Exchange subsidiary, and began issuing shares to eligible MUN stakeholders. JTT is now a publicly listed company.“In an extractive economy like Namibia’s – which has remained so for nearly a century, with an accumulated export value of over N$590 billion since 1984 – this is the first time mineworkers of all races have had the opportunity to achieve actual ownership in the industry,” says Ampweya.The empowerment vehicle aims to provide a buffer against retrenchments, create meaningful empowerment and jobs, build wealth for members over time, and offer added financial security for their dependants.NAMIT also offers direct benefits through an SME fund, a bursary scheme and a loyalty and rewards programme.“Jobs alone will not satisfy this nation’s long-term strategic development goals of reducing poverty and ensuring lasting stability. Only bold, targeted action towards Namibian self-reliance will do so,” Ampweya concludes.– PoiyahMedia / MUN

MUN: Unity forged in the mines

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