Swapo’s grip on Workers’ Day sparks outcry
NUNW accused of monopolising commemorations
Analysts say it has become increasingly difficult to tell whether the annual event is a non-partisan commemoration of Namibian workers or a rally for the ruling party.
Analysts have raised concerns about the increasingly partisan nature of Namibia’s International Workers’ Day commemorations. Among the issues is whether taxpayer money was used to fund trips by government officials to Oshakati for an event seen as favouring the ruling party and its affiliated unions.
The National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW), which is officially aligned with Swapo, is once again under scrutiny for allegedly monopolising the annual celebration and sidelining non-affiliated workers' organisations and their members.
This year’s national event featured President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as the keynote speaker, with entertainment provided by Swapo’s Ndilimani Cultural Troupe. Critics argue that the event, intended to honour workers and their struggles, has become a political rally cloaked in workers' regalia.
Independent trade unions have accused NUNW of excluding rival federations and turning what should be a unifying occasion into a partisan spectacle.
They argue that Workers’ Day, observed in over 160 countries to honour workers who have died, been injured or fallen ill due to work-related conditions, is losing its original purpose in Namibia.
No invitation
Acting Secretary General of the Namibia National Labour Organisation (NANLO), Joseph Garoeb, said his federation received no invitation to the official event.
“Workers’ Day should not be a government event. It must be led by workers, for workers," Garoeb told Namibian Sun. "We cannot keep relying on the president and ministers, who are, after all, employers, to speak for us. The keynote speaker should be a worker who understands our daily realities.”
He added: “NUNW will never invite us because we’ve become competitors. But that shouldn’t be the case – we’re all workers and should complement one another," noting that there was "no formal programme involving us. We only saw people playing kickball.”
Garoeb described the event as a “Swapo-coordinated function”, adding that the heavy presence of Swapo branding and messaging alienated workers from non-aligned unions. “We are all workers, not just Swapo members. That’s why we’re hosting our own commemorations that reflect our members’ concerns and priorities.”
He further said NANLO plans to extend a formal invitation to the president for future events but stressed that such gestures must be deliberate and timely. “We’ll send it early – by January. If she chooses to come, she’ll be welcome.”
Nothing new
A political analyst, speaking on condition of anonymity, questioned the public funding implications: “If it was a government event, why did officials wear NUNW regalia, excluding other unions? And if it wasn’t a government event, why did officials attend using state vehicles and possibly stay in accommodation funded by public money?”
Julius Natangwe, interim central secretary of the Revolutionary Union (RU), echoed similar frustrations, saying their union was also excluded from this year’s commemorations.
“That day is usually monopolised by Swapo and its affiliates. But frankly, what are we missing?" he said.
"It’s the same political speeches every year. There’s nothing new or useful for the average worker. It’s similar to Independence Day and other national events that have been turned into party-political occasions."
Petersen Kambinda of the Namibian Revolutionary Transport Union (Naretu), however, said there were no hard feelings.
“When you host a Workers’ Day celebration, you naturally invite your own speakers. NUNW invited the president, so it follows that their affiliates were included. Government officials typically follow the president. We weren’t invited, but we didn’t take offence.”
“This year, we opted not to hold our own celebration. Instead, we’ve planned activities on our own schedule,” he added.
Everyone welcome
Responding to the criticism, NUNW secretary general Job Muniaro rejected the accusations of exclusion, saying the event was open to all workers.
“We’ve never hosted May Day together in the past. We tried once, but every federation has its own structure and membership. This year’s event was organised for our members, but anyone who wanted to attend was welcome,” he said.
Muniaro argued that rival unions chose not to attend. “Some of them held their own events, which is why they weren’t present at ours. Historically, we don’t send formal invitations to non-affiliated unions because they organise their own commemorations. We organise for our members – they do the same for theirs.” - [email protected]
The National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW), which is officially aligned with Swapo, is once again under scrutiny for allegedly monopolising the annual celebration and sidelining non-affiliated workers' organisations and their members.
This year’s national event featured President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as the keynote speaker, with entertainment provided by Swapo’s Ndilimani Cultural Troupe. Critics argue that the event, intended to honour workers and their struggles, has become a political rally cloaked in workers' regalia.
Independent trade unions have accused NUNW of excluding rival federations and turning what should be a unifying occasion into a partisan spectacle.
They argue that Workers’ Day, observed in over 160 countries to honour workers who have died, been injured or fallen ill due to work-related conditions, is losing its original purpose in Namibia.
No invitation
Acting Secretary General of the Namibia National Labour Organisation (NANLO), Joseph Garoeb, said his federation received no invitation to the official event.
“Workers’ Day should not be a government event. It must be led by workers, for workers," Garoeb told Namibian Sun. "We cannot keep relying on the president and ministers, who are, after all, employers, to speak for us. The keynote speaker should be a worker who understands our daily realities.”
He added: “NUNW will never invite us because we’ve become competitors. But that shouldn’t be the case – we’re all workers and should complement one another," noting that there was "no formal programme involving us. We only saw people playing kickball.”
Garoeb described the event as a “Swapo-coordinated function”, adding that the heavy presence of Swapo branding and messaging alienated workers from non-aligned unions. “We are all workers, not just Swapo members. That’s why we’re hosting our own commemorations that reflect our members’ concerns and priorities.”
He further said NANLO plans to extend a formal invitation to the president for future events but stressed that such gestures must be deliberate and timely. “We’ll send it early – by January. If she chooses to come, she’ll be welcome.”
Nothing new
A political analyst, speaking on condition of anonymity, questioned the public funding implications: “If it was a government event, why did officials wear NUNW regalia, excluding other unions? And if it wasn’t a government event, why did officials attend using state vehicles and possibly stay in accommodation funded by public money?”
Julius Natangwe, interim central secretary of the Revolutionary Union (RU), echoed similar frustrations, saying their union was also excluded from this year’s commemorations.
“That day is usually monopolised by Swapo and its affiliates. But frankly, what are we missing?" he said.
"It’s the same political speeches every year. There’s nothing new or useful for the average worker. It’s similar to Independence Day and other national events that have been turned into party-political occasions."
Petersen Kambinda of the Namibian Revolutionary Transport Union (Naretu), however, said there were no hard feelings.
“When you host a Workers’ Day celebration, you naturally invite your own speakers. NUNW invited the president, so it follows that their affiliates were included. Government officials typically follow the president. We weren’t invited, but we didn’t take offence.”
“This year, we opted not to hold our own celebration. Instead, we’ve planned activities on our own schedule,” he added.
Everyone welcome
Responding to the criticism, NUNW secretary general Job Muniaro rejected the accusations of exclusion, saying the event was open to all workers.
“We’ve never hosted May Day together in the past. We tried once, but every federation has its own structure and membership. This year’s event was organised for our members, but anyone who wanted to attend was welcome,” he said.
Muniaro argued that rival unions chose not to attend. “Some of them held their own events, which is why they weren’t present at ours. Historically, we don’t send formal invitations to non-affiliated unions because they organise their own commemorations. We organise for our members – they do the same for theirs.” - [email protected]
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