Allexer Namundjebo
The newly elected Namibia Media Professionals Union (Nampu) president, Shelleygan Petersen, has pledged to defend the rights of media workers and ensure employers comply with labour laws.
Responding to questions from the Windhoek Observer on Saturday, Petersen said all media organisations must follow the Labour Act when employing staff.
“Media professionals have been exploited for far too long. We are engaging international partners for support on issues affecting freelancers and exploitation in the industry,” she said.
Petersen said her leadership plans were to establish union branches at media organisations across the country and organise the union’s first congress.
She also thanked founding secretary general Sackeus Ikela and the previous leadership for their work in developing the union’s constitution and mentoring new leaders on drafting official documents.
The newly elected leadership includes deputy president Gordon Joseph, while Jemima Beukes retained her position as secretary general with Charmaine Ngatjiheue as deputy secretary general.
Otto Gottlieb was elected secretary for mobilisation, Wilma Geingos became national treasurer, while Ernst Calitz and Eveline de Klerk were elected as additional executive members.
The new leadership replaces outgoing president Tileni Mongudhi, Ikela, treasurer Timo Shihepo, organiser Augetto Graig and executive committee member Edward Mumbuu.
Speaking to The Namibian, Graig said the union was created to give media workers a stronger voice.
“Many people rely on us to share their stories when the system silences them. That is why we established this union, to fight for all the people working in the media,” he said.
Nampu was launched in Windhoek on 20 November 2020 as Namibia’s first trade union for journalists and media workers.
The union received official government registration on 13 December 2024 after a four-year process.
