Mineworkers Union of Namibia

M.U.N.

Mineworkers' Union of Namibia
Founded	1986
Location	Namibia
Affiliations	National Union of Namibian Workers South West Africa People's Organization

The Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) is one of the most powerful of Namibia's trade unions. It plays a leading public role in the Namibian political space and is an ally of the ruling South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) government. ^[1] The MUN was established in 1986. It is affiliated with the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) national trade union center and had about 8,000 members in 2017 ^[update] . ^{[2] : 23}

Strikes

The MUN supported the 2008 Skorpion Zinc Strike, accusing Skorpion Zinc of practising racial discrimination and of negotiating in bad faith. ^[3]

Criticisms

It has faced backlash for its defense of the government's push for a majority stake in mines ^[4] and "dishonesty and neglect over unfulfilled promises to beneficiaries" as per the Namibian ^[5] .

Notable members

• John Shaetonhodi, union president 1986–1995, later deputy labour minister ^[6]
• Bernhardt Esau, secretary general of NUNW, a national trade union center, later fisheries minister ^[7]
• Asser Kuveri Kapere, president from 1987-1991
• Peter Naholo, secretary general from 1993-2001
• Ben Ulenga, founder of MUN ^[8]
• Rudolf Isaaks 1996

References

1. A people united shall never be defeated & The Mineworkers Union of Namibia Sister Namibia, 1 October 2002
2. Jauch, Herbert. "Namibia's trade union movement: an overview" (PDF). Friedrich Ebert Foundation . Retrieved 20 June 2021.
3. Strike ends at Namibia's Skorpion Zinc mine in Reuters, 30 May 2008
4. "Mineworkers' Union of Namibia defends Govt's push for 51% stake in new mines | African Mining Market". 2025-08-12. Retrieved 2025-11-28.
5. Tafirenyika, Tracy (2024-11-06). "Mineworkers Union of Namibia faces allegations of dishonesty and neglect over unfulfilled promises to beneficiaries". The Namibian. Retrieved 2025-11-28.
6. "Shaetonhodi, John Mueneni - Parastatals". Namibia Institute For Democracy. Archived from the original on 11 June 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
7. "Esau, Bernhardt Martin - Swapo". Namibia Institute For Democracy. Archived from the original on 11 June 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
8. "NUNW: Proud history, uncertain future". New Era . 30 April 2019.