Justicia Shipena
The Mineworkers Union of Namibia’s (MUN) NAMIT SME Fund has disbursed over N$800,000 to entrepreneurs across various regions since its establishment in 2024.
The fund helps current and former union members start or grow their small businesses.
So far, 54 applications have been received this year.
The MUN said this signals a strong interest in the union’s push for inclusive economic empowerment.
This development was shared during the Western Regional Roundtable held in the Erongo region on 18 June.
The roundtable is part of MUN’s national series of forums to improve engagement between the union leadership and its members.
The event brought together national and regional leaders, including its acting President Poco-Key Mberiuana and Western regional chairperson Niklaas Afrikaner.
Members from the Erongo region also participated.
“These roundtables are not a top-down information session. These are dialogues. A conversation. A listening exercise,” Mberiuana said as he opened the forum.
“They are a chance for us, the leadership, to sit side by side with members on the ground and hear directly from you.”
MUN national secretary Rebekka Bengela stressed the need for an informed and united membership.
“Our aim today is to reinforce the relationship between leadership and membership, to have a deeper understanding of the union’s work, and to build a more engaged membership,” he said.
Afrikaner pointed out that many workers remain unaware of the support offered by the union.
“Some believe the union is only there during strikes or salary disputes. But we must change that narrative. MUN membership means support in every season of your life, whether you’re starting your career, raising a family, launching a business, or investing in your children’s education,” he said.
The forum included panel discussions, open floor sessions, and presentations on MUN’s history and evolving role.
Delegates discussed the current state of the union, key challenges faced by mineworkers, and how grassroots concerns are being addressed at the national level.
Leadership emphasised finding localised solutions and improving communication between shop stewards and the national office.
Rauna Namolo Osino, an MUN member, said the platform was vital.
“They gave members a chance to engage directly with leadership in an open, respectful space, not for conflict, but for solutions. But dialogue must lead to action. Let’s make roundtables a bridge to impact, not just conversations,” she said.
Another member, Theopolina Fanuel Carbon, said the discussions were empowering.
“It was empowering to not only voice my concerns but also suggest possible solutions. Being heard in this way gives me hope, and I look forward to seeing the changes that come from these conversations.”
MUN also announced the launch of its national games, scheduled for March 2026, with an official launch event set for August 2025.
The games are aimed at promoting member well-being, social cohesion, and teamwork. Planned events include netball, volleyball, tug-of-war, and 5 km, 10 km, and 20 km runs.
