Allexer Namundjembo
The speaker of the National Assembly, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, walked out of the chamber yesterday after a dispute over a motion, leaving behind the mace, the symbol of the house’s authority.
Affirmative Repositioning (AR) chief whip Vaino Hangula had tabled a motion for parliament to continue with the order of the day without interruption.
Swapo member of parliament Paula Kooper objected, prompting Kuugongelwa-Amadhila to call for a vote on whether the motion should be considered.
Speaking after the session, Hangula said the motion aimed to keep business flowing.
“We basically just wanted the House business to continue without any hindrance. It meant that even if we reached 17h45, the House should continue until whatever time we finish with the order paper,” he said.
After the disagreement, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila adjourned the sitting and walked out, leaving the mace behind.
The sergeant-at-arms also left without carrying it.
The mace, once a symbol of royal authority, has become a key emblem of parliament’s power.
Without it, no formal business can be conducted. It is usually carried by the sergeant-at-arms and placed on the table of the house to mark the chamber’s authority.
As the sergeant-at-arms walked away, AR leader Job Amupanda called him back to collect the mace.
Political analyst Sakaria Johannes told the Windhoek Observer that the incident raises serious questions about the speaker’s role.
“She made the declaration that she was going to fulfil her mandate as speaker. The question we must ask is whether the speaker is capable of fulfilling her mandate,” he said.
Johannes added that the speaker should have ensured order in parliament.
“The other issue is that of the mace. It is interesting that she left it just like that. This is a tool of authority given to her by the government. She left behind the very tool that gave her authority. She was supposed to call the sergeant-at-arms to escort her,” he said.
He further noted that Kuugongelwa-Amadhila needs to control her emotions while still learning her duties.
Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah said the episode showed disorder and weak leadership.
“The speaker’s sudden change of mind and the guard forgetting the mace show confusion and a lack of respect for procedures,” he said.
Kamwanyah added that parliament appears more focused on personal and party battles than on serving the people.
“This is the weakest parliament ever in our country’s history,” he said.
