THE table is set, with high drama expected at the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) congress that starts off in Windhoek this morning.
As the country’s biggest workers’ federation sits to break the proverbial bread at A. Shipena Secondary School in Katutura in the capital, there are more than just positions up for grabs. The menu for the weekend’s deliberations, the all-important agenda, is finalised, but remains under wraps. It is believed that some long serving union bosses will burn their tongues on the hot soup to be served up from the floor at the congress. Emotions have been flaring for the past weeks, as swords are expected to be crossed between union leaders.
Sources from the union building in Mungunda street in Katutura said that the main bone of contention revolves around “principles, versus  personal vendettas”. 
“It is going to be a very emotional congress,” said one union source, who added that the issues are now confused between workers’ legitimate concerns and challenges, and senior leaders who feel their egos have been bruised. The build up to the congress has been characterised by various controversies, especially around agenda points.
General secretaries of affiliated unions have been divided into two camps, those calling for the removal of NUNW secretary general (SG) Evilastus Kaaronda, and the pro-Kaaronda group. The various deadlocks resulted in logistical preparations suffering, due to union leaders being unable to see eye-to-eye.  
The sources of discord are Namibia’s biggest bread and butter issues, including the umbrella union’s perceived drifting away from traditional workers solidarity ideals, including whether it is proper for union representatives to serve in top management structures of private companies, Government and parastatals, as well as on boards of companies. 
The congress will serve as a litmus test for unions’ credibility in the eyes of its members.
Napwu Secretary General Petrus Nevonga was said to have toured the regions to sow anti-Kaaronda sentiment. This weekend will prove whether Nevonga could have his cake, and eat it. However, Nafinu, the financial sector union, on Wednesday came out and announced their backing of Kaaronda to continue serving at the union’s high table as SG. The teachers union, Nantu, is supporting the anti-looting stance Kaaronda has taken. Whether they would throw their considerable weight behind him will be seen at congress, as they have always been seen as Napwu allies.  
By midday yesterday, the NUNW central executive committee was meeting for the last time to iron out some procedural issues around the congress. Those include approving nominations for candidates who would be standing for positions. Despite weeks of media speculation and intense lobbying, there was no list of candidates standing for positions by yesterday afternoon. 
Despite the fact that no candidates have been approved by yesterday afternoon, the general understanding was that no nominations will be called from the floor, and that nominations will have to be made before congress starts. 
The chaotic experience from previous congresses, is said to be the reason why the nomination of candidates on the congress floor will not be allowed.
Alfred Angula, the farm workers union general secretary, who is currently on sabbatical, is expected to touch down at Hosea Kutako International Airport shortly before the congress is set to start. He is putting his studies in Germany on hold to contest against Kaaronda  for the influential NUNW SG post. 
By yesterday afternoon it was still not clear who would sit at the head of the NUNW’s table, come Sunday. Current acting president David Namalenga is the only name mentioned so far for that position, but surprises are expected. Namalenga is the human resource manager at the Road Contractors Company (RCC). As delegates arrived yesterday, the jovial mood characterised by previous union congresses was dampened, with members cuddling around their respective union offices and general secretaries looking like farmers praying for rain to come.