Moses Magadza
The president of the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF), Justin Tokely, has praised Namibia for its support of regional integration and parliamentary diplomacy.
He called for stronger cooperation as the Forum moves toward becoming a regional parliament.
Tokely made the remarks during a recent courtesy call to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah by members of the SADC PF Executive Committee.
He congratulated Nandi-Ndaitwah on her election as the country’s first female head of state.
“Your recent assumption of office is a source of inspiration to our entire region. It represents a landmark victory for gender equality in African leadership,” he said.
Tokely, who is also the Speaker of the National Assembly of Madagascar, commended Nandi-Ndaitwah for her record in governance, diplomacy, and pan-Africanism. He described her as a “freedom fighter, seasoned diplomat, and a committed servant of the people”.
He said her leadership reflects “dedication, integrity, and the values of African unity”.
Tokely paid tribute to Namibia’s previous presidents, the late Dr Sam Nujoma, Dr Hifikepunye Pohamba, and the late Dr Hage Geingob, for laying the foundation of democracy and development in the country.
“Their cumulative leadership over three decades advanced peace, democracy, and regional integration,” he said.
He recalled that under President Nujoma, Namibia hosted the Forum’s inaugural summit in Windhoek in July 1995 and has housed its secretariat since 1997.
“President Nujoma’s unwavering support for regional parliamentary diplomacy, including his vision of SADC PF as the nucleus of a future regional parliament, has guided our trajectory,” he said.
He acknowledged Pohamba’s efforts to promote good governance and inclusivity, noting, “Nearly half of Namibia’s parliamentarians are women, a powerful testament to your nation’s progressive gender agenda.”
Tokely also recognised Geingob’s leadership during his time as SADC Chairperson, saying it helped strengthen regional cooperation and economic integration.
“The Namibian example stands as a beacon of democratic governance, peace, and gender-responsive leadership. Few countries can match such a consistent commitment to human rights and gender parity,” Tokely said.
He thanked Namibia for its continued support of the forum and said the country remains a key partner.
“Namibia holds a special place in the heart of the SADC PF. It has been an unwavering pillar of support since our inception,” he said.
Tokely urged stronger ties with Namibia as the forum transitions into a regional parliament. He said integration efforts must be driven by citizens.
“We remain committed to ensuring that the voice of our people is heard in SADC processes and that our policies reflect democratic will. The experienced leadership and input of Namibian parliamentarians continue to enrich our deliberations,” he said.
Meanwhile, Nandi-Ndaitwah welcomed the delegation and said she was pleased to meet with members of parliament.
“I am happy to be among our Honourable Members of Parliament, particularly at a time when our region really needs the work of the parliamentarians who are our representatives,” she said.
The visiting SADC PF delegation included the Speaker of the National Assembly of Angola, Carolina Cerqueira; the Speaker of the Parliament of Zimbabwe, Advocate Jacob Francis Nzwidamilimo Mudenda; the Speaker of the National Assembly of Lesotho, Tlohang Sekhamane; the Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, Nelly Mutti; Botswana’s opposition leader, Dumelang Selashando; Shally Josepha Raymond; and SADC PF Secretary General Boemo Sekgoma.
Moses Magadza is the Media and Communications Manager at the SADC Parliamentary Forum.*
