NUNW congress ‘rejected’

THE Namibia National Teachers’ Union (Nantu) says it dismisses, disregards and rejects last weekend’s NUNW congress, charging it was unfair and had been driven by the political agenda of some members.

Nantu President Ndapewa Nghipandulwa told a press conference at Oshakati on Wednesday that the union would consult its regional structures and legal advisers over “possible action that would serve the interest of the entire membership”. “The whole affair was unfair and justice was not followed.Fair practice and constitutionality are what we wanted,” Nghipandulwa said.She said the Nantu management committee would be called in soon to discuss the way forward.At the same time that Nantu was holding its press briefing in the North, the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) was addressing the media in Windhoek, where it tried to play down the controversy (see separate report).Asked whether Nantu thought it would be better for the NUNW to disaffiliate from the ruling Swapo party, Nghipandulwa said her union had no problem with the political affiliation, but was against some national leaders trying to impose their will on and divide the umbrella union.Nantu and the Mineworkers’ Union of Namibia (MUN) delegations walked out of the congress after their proposals were shot down and they were relegated to mere spectators.Nghipandulwa said several unions had not paid their affiliation fees to the NUNW, yet had been allowed to dominate proceedings as if they were in good standing.According to the Central Executive Committee report presented to the congress, Nafau had not paid its affiliation fees this year, while Napwu had only paid for the first month.Nantu and MUN were the only two affiliates in good standing at the time the report was compiled.Newly elected NUNW Secretary General, Evalistus Kaaronda, told The Namibian that all unions had paid their dues by the time the congress took place.Union sources have indicated that unions in arrears might have quickly paid just ahead of the congress when they realised their precarious standing, but whether this was soon enough was another question.Nghipandulwa said at the press conference that Nantu was deliberately prevented from exercising its full rights as a paid-up affiliate in terms of the NUNW’s constitution.She cited constitutional clauses stating that affiliates more than three months in arrears could not be represented or vote at any NUNW conference.”This constitutional obligation was not carried out, as the Comrades driving the agenda depended much on these affiliates for support, which is in itself corruption and disrespect of the constitution and rights of congress delegates,” Nghipandulwa said.She said Nantu also rejected the way that the chairperson of the congress, outgoing NUNW President Risto Kapenda, was removed with a vote of no confidence.”This [motion] was moved by delegates not in good standing and it was moved when most of the unions in good standing were outside.When [the unions in good standing] asked to express [themselves] on the matter, they were refused the floor to do so by the imposed chairperson who did not belong to any union at the time of the Congress,” Nghipandulwa said.”The constitution of the NUNW does not make any provision for such a move, hence it was unlawful and unacceptable” she said.”The chairperson also erred when he allowed the congress to deviate from the provisions of the constitution to self-made house rules which were made to fit the intention of a few individuals and not the congress.”It’s not that we are supporting [suspended acting Secretary General Peter] Naholo or Kapenda, but only because we want fairness and justice to prevail,” said Nghipandulwa.Some people in the North that The Namibian spoke to said they believed there was a campaign to remove Oshikwanyama-speaking people from leadership posts in the unions, various institutions, and even from Swapo and Government.Nantu’s own congress is scheduled for September this year and many members believe that it will go the same way as the NUNW congress.”The whole affair was unfair and justice was not followed.Fair practice and constitutionality are what we wanted,” Nghipandulwa said.She said the Nantu management committee would be called in soon to discuss the way forward.At the same time that Nantu was holding its press briefing in the North, the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) was addressing the media in Windhoek, where it tried to play down the controversy (see separate report). Asked whether Nantu thought it would be better for the NUNW to disaffiliate from the ruling Swapo party, Nghipandulwa said her union had no problem with the political affiliation, but was against some national leaders trying to impose their will on and divide the umbrella union.Nantu and the Mineworkers’ Union of Namibia (MUN) delegations walked out of the congress after their proposals were shot down and they were relegated to mere spectators.Nghipandulwa said several unions had not paid their affiliation fees to the NUNW, yet had been allowed to dominate proceedings as if they were in good standing.According to the Central Executive Committee report presented to the congress, Nafau had not paid its affiliation fees this year, while Napwu had only paid for the first month.Nantu and MUN were the only two affiliates in good standing at the time the report was compiled.Newly elected NUNW Secretary General, Evalistus Kaaronda, told The Namibian that all unions had paid their dues by the time the congress took place.Union sources have indicated that unions in arrears might have quickly paid just ahead of the congress when they realised their precarious standing, but whether this was soon enough was another question.Nghipandulwa said at the press conference that Nantu was deliberately prevented from exercising its full rights as a paid-up affiliate in terms of the NUNW’s constitution.She cited constitutional clauses stating that affiliates more than three months in arrears could not be represented or vote at any NUNW conference.”This constitutional obligation was not carried out, as the Comrades driving the agenda depended much on these affiliates for support, which is in itself corruption and disrespect of the constitution and rights of congress delegates,” Nghipandulwa said.She said Nantu also rejected the way that the chairperson of the congress, outgoing NUNW President Risto Kapenda, was removed with a vote of no confidence.”This [motion] was moved by delegates not in good standing and it was moved when most of the unions in good standing were outside.When [the unions in good standing] asked to express [themselves] on the matter, they were refused the floor to do so by the imposed chairperson who did not belong to any union at the time of the Congress,” Nghipandulwa said.”The constitution of the NUNW does not make any provision for such a move, hence it was unlawful and unacceptable” she said.”The chairperson also erred when he allowed the congress to deviate from the provisions of the constitution to self-made house rules which were made to fit the intention of a few individuals and not the congress.”It’s not that we are supporting [suspended acting Secretary General Peter] Naholo or Kapenda, but only because we want fairness and justice to prevail,” said Nghipandulwa.Some people in the North that The Namibian spoke to said they believed there was a campaign to remove Oshikwanyama-speaking people from leadership posts in the unions, various institutions, and even from Swapo and Government.Nantu’s own congress is scheduled for September this year and many members believe that it will go the same way as the NUNW congress.