Africa-Press – Namibia. Teachers in the Kavango East have been informed of a 5% salary increase for the next two financial years.
This follows what the Namibia National Teachers’ Union (Nantu) Rundu branch described as the “final resolution” of negotiations with the government.
When contacted about the salary talks yesterday, Nantu secretary general Loide Shaanika was dismissive.
“What does it [resolution] have to do with you? Are you a teacher? Was it addressed to you?” Shaanika fired back.
After the journalist explained their scope of work to Shaanika, she said, “Go to Kavango East.”
However, in a formal missive dated 21 February 2026, the Kavango East Nantu branch states that the government maintained a 0% salary increment for the 2025/2026 financial year.
“The government maintained a 0% salary increment for 2025/2026,” the report reads.
For the 2026–2028 cycle, the union had demanded a N$1 000 fixed monthly increase for Grades 14–15 and a 7.7% across-the-board increase for Grades 13–1. However, the final offer accepted provides for a 5% salary increase for both the 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 financial years. According to the report, teachers Grades 14–15 will receive “a fixed increment of N$700 per month” for the period 2026–2028.
On allowances, the report states there will be no transport allowance increment for 2026/2027, but a 7% increase in 2027/2028. There will also be no housing allowance increment for 2026/2027.
The report further outlines sharp increases in contributions to the Public Service Employees Medical Aid Scheme (PSEMAS), effective 1 April 2026.
Medical aid
Under the High Option, contributions will increase from N$240 to N$500 for the main member and from N$120 to N$240 for dependants. Under the Standard Option, contributions will double from N$120 to N$240 for the main member and from N$60 to N$120 for dependants.
“Medical aid will cover 100% of medical costs without any levy. A 5% levy on self-medication remains applicable,” the report states.
All adjustments are set to take effect from 1 April 2026.
Dispute
However, the reported agreement has been strongly disputed by the Teachers Union of Namibia (TUN).
In an interview yesterday, TUN secretary general Mahongora Kavihuha said his union is not aware of any concluded negotiations at the national level. “The negotiations with an employer are the process that is completed at a national level. It’s not a process that is completed at the regional level,” he said.
He stressed that any salary agreement must be signed publicly between the recognised bargaining parties. “If there is any agreement to be signed for any adjustment, that is not a secretive thing; it’s a public thing. It should be signed between the bargaining union, which is in this case the secretary general of Nantu, and the Secretary to the Cabinet. That agreement is the one that can be fixed,” he explained.
Kavihuha said TUN has not been part of any concluded negotiations.
“So what is circulating in the media, we are not privy to it. And that could not be true as well, because all the agreements should have been recorded in public and be clear about it. As far as we are concerned, we are not aware of any negotiations that have reached any conclusion, nor any negotiations that took place. That’s why we are looking forward to the budget being tabled on Thursday. Which we believe has to meet the provisions for salary adjustment,” he said. He also dismissed reports of agreed medical aid increases.
“None whatsoever. And even if I have to refer you to that paper that you are referring to, we talk about increases in medical aid and those kind of things. Those are purely nonsense.”
He continued. “So there is no way that we as people can agree on increases in medical aid, and yet people are being pushed to the death sentence.” Kavihuha maintained that negotiations are supposed to be transparent.
“Because you know that negotiations are not a secretive thing. They should have already been announced. If it were happening in someone’s bedroom, then I cannot comment on that because we don’t deal with things around the bedroom,” the seasoned unionist said.
He added that any future engagement with the government may only become clear after the national budget is tabled on Thursday.
“It’s not clear yet, but we hope that those who are interested will deal with that when they come out in public and announce it.”
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