Kaaronda no threat - NUNW

Shinovene Immanuel

THE acting National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) secretary general Alfred Angula yesterday described the speculation that fire-brand trade unionist Evilastus Kaaronda is planning to set up a union as “not making sense”.

The Namibian reported last week that plans by Kaaronda to form a new umbrella body are at an advanced stage with people close to him confirming that he had been consulting widely.

The article also revealed that the outspoken union leader has lined-up meetings with various unionists and interested parties with the view of looking at the viability of forming a new trade union.

Although Kaaronda has been described as the “darling of grassroots union members”, Angula said NUWN, the biggest umbrella body in Namibia does not feel threatened.

Angula, who replaced Kaaronda, said considering the size of Namibia’s working class, forming another trade union does not solve the problems the workers face.

“Coming up with unions and federations will not solve their [workers] problems. It will solve individual problems at that point but not issues affecting the workers,” he said. He, instead, gave an example of various “mushrooming unions” that failed to mount a serious challenge to NUNW.

Angula’s acting deputy Job Muniaro yesterday wished Kaaronda “luck” adding that they are “not threatened by any[other] union”.

Muniaro maintains that nothing will change anytime soon. “There is no way anybody will move that. It’s a decision of the people and it will remain as such. The workers themselves have affiliated to the party.”

NUNW has been criticised mainly for its affiliation to the Swapo Party with many of its critics alleging interference in union affairs by the ruling party’s top brass.

Kaaronda has backers and one of them is the Namibia Commercial, Catering, Food and Allied Workers Union (NACCAFWU) which welcomed speculation that the fire-brand trade unionist is planning to form a trade union.

NACCAFWU deputy secretary general Joseph //Garoeb told The Namibian yesterday that they will be the first union to join Kaaronda if he forms a union.

“Definately we will. Our union will be the first to be affiliated,” he said.

Asked why they are endorsing Kaaronda, //Garoeb said the former NUNW man advocates for workers’ rights and that there is need for a union that is not linked to government to avoid political interference.

“If you are not independent then you will see things through other key people’s eyes,” //Garoeb said adding that Kaaronda’s experience at the NUNW will help shape a different approach to unionism in Namibia.

Garoeb, who served in various leadership positions in the NUNW and Napwu, admitted that various people have branded the union as “close to Kaaronda”.

Kaaronda was last month paid N$750 000 by the NUNW after they unceremoniously dismissed him before his contract had expired. NUWN said they dismissed Kaaronda for gross non-compliance with regard to his duties and responsibilities, the disunity, division and mistrust he had allegedly caused among union leaders and his under-performance as well as connivance with rival unions.