RUNDU – The Namibia National Teachers’ Union (Nantu) in the Kavango East region elected its new leadership to steer the regional executive committee forward for the next five years.

Nantu held its regional conference on 20 July at the Dr Romanus Kampungu Secondary School to put its regional structure in place.

A total of 82 delegates attended the event, where Petrus Kashumali was elected as the regional chairperson, deputised by Vallentinus Kamenye.

Gervatius Samende was elected as the secretary of Nantu, with Immanuel Linyando as his deputy. Paulus Kativa took up the position of treasurer, while the remaining positions of organising secretary, information and publicity as well as secretary for gender went to Timothy Mbathera, Joseph Gideon and Rosina Muruti. Kashumali told Nampa on Tuesday that he did not have any intentions to step up to the challenge, but was approached by colleagues who believe he has good leadership qualities to advance and cater to the professional, social and economic needs of its members in the region.

“Members are yearning to see that radical aspect of Nantu again, which, in my view, it lost in the past five years. 

Nantu instead now is sort of hiding behind the Namibia Public Workers Union (Napwu),” he said.

Kashumali said he is aware that the union even lost many of its members in 2022 when civil servants received a 3% salary increment.

He said the decision to avert that strike by civil servants was taken without consulting the members, which led to Nantu losing some of its people. He promised to protect teachers in their workplace, and improve their living conditions. 

-Nampa