Nantu wants Katrina to apologise The Namibia National Teachers Union (Nantu) northern executive members are demanding a public apology from education minister Katrina Hanse-Himarwa, saying if the minister fails to do so they will cast a vote of no confidence against her.This was said by the Oshana Regional Nantu Chairperson Isaih Nanhapo on Thursday at a joint media briefing held in Oshakati by the Oshana, Oshikoto, Ohangwena and Omusati regions Nantu executive committee members. Nanhapo said teachers believe that there will be no immediate improvements in the working relationships and education activities if Hanse-Himarwa does not admit and publicly apologise to the teaching fraternity in this country. He explained that the request for an apology comes in the wake of Hanse-Himarwa''s remarks when she thanked teachers who voted against the strike whom she referred to as mature and people with sober minds. Nanhapo says the minister''s comments are seen as an insult to the majority of those who voted in favour of strike action. He added that Hanse-Himarwa''s statement was quoted in various local media as saying that Nantu must learn where to start and where to end and that teachers are not patriotic citizens, warrants an apology from the minister.
“We are aware of the psychological humiliation and torture teachers went through as well as unfounded allegations made at the hands of our minister in fighting for the 8% salary increment,” Nanhapo said. “We are therefore reaffirming a vote of no confidence in the Minister of Education, Arts and Culture in the absence of the public apology and we are pleading to His Excellency, President Hage Geingob to call her to order and assign her to a ministry with patriotic, sober and mature employees,” Nanhapo added.
He also urged the Nantu members and Hanse-Himarwa to refrain from posting defamatory remarks on Facebook and other social media encouraging the use of the existing communication channels.
Teachers voted in favour of a national strike recently when they demanded an 8% wage increment. However, the strike was later called off after both parties reached an agreement to settle for 5% in the current financial year and 9% next year.
KENYA KAMBOWE