The Mineworkers Union of Namibia's Northern Region has re-elected Mathew Mberiuana as Chairperson for another two-year term.

Mberiuana has held the position since 2016.

"Thank you for your commitment and thank you again for giving me an opportunity to serve you in my capacity as regional chairperson for the next two years. We serve from behind; we don't serve from upfront. You must know; you must know what your people want; they determine how you are going to lead the organisation."

Mberiuana also serves as the acting president of the Mineworkers Union of Namibia.

Desmond Otnur was elected Vice Regional Chairperson, while Teresa Martin retained her position as Regional Secretary, deputised by Basson Kandenge, who was also re-elected.

Connnias Iivula was elected treasurer, deputised by Tephanus Lucas.

Reginald Kock was elected Independent Trustee.

The new regional executive will represent mineworkers in the Northern Region and oversee the union's activities.

The elections come as the Mineworkers Union of Namibia marks 40 years since its establishment in 1986.

George Ampweya, MUN secretary general, said, "Our decades of organising workers, defending rights, negotiating, bettering conditions, and giving people – we must remember the strength of MU has never been in his buildings. It's vehicles or investments; the strength of MUN has always been in its members."

Ampweya also called for trade unions to be included in strategic decision-making structures.

"We insist as MUN to form part of those discussions we platform in Orandjemund and make it clear to both the minister of labour and justice as well as that of mines to say that you cannot hold us accountable for just transition if we are excluded from the negotiations."

MUN has represented mineworkers in Namibia for four decades and is using its 40th anniversary year to engage workers, government and industry stakeholders on labour, mining and economic issues.

The Mine Workers Union of Namibia has more than 10,700 members countrywide.