Parliament – Page 2 – Windhoek Observer

29 Jan

PDM Parliament hopefuls to approach court…as Parliament is set to open

ObserverObserver MoneyMembers of Parliament, Parliament, Popular Democratic Movement (PDM)

Andrew Kathindi With Parliament set to open in just over a week’s time, Lawyer Norman Tjombe has threatened to approach the courts to have his clients’ gazetted as Members of Parliament. This comes after a High Court ruling, delivered in July last year, ordered that Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) members Charmaine Tjirare, Reggie Diergaardt, Frans Bertolini, Yvette Araes, Mike Venaani and Tjekupe Maximilliant Katjimune be added to the opposition party parliamentary list, an order which is yet to be implemented. The High Court ruling had further ordered that a public gazette be published in that regard. “As a result of…

17 Jul

Geingob instructs MPs – can they comply?

ObserverNational NewsHage Geingob, MPs, Parliament, Swapo Party

After reading the Swapo Party President’s speech to the class of MPs sitting in the current Parliament, we see a glimmer of something that has been dimmed for so long. In his well-written speech before Swapo MPs this week, Hage Geingob delivered brass tacks, internal political strategizing guidelines. His message was clear and on-point. The president’s insightful words included tactical strategies, marching orders for diligence, demands that MPs read and be informed and orders to stand together as an active party. He challenged opposition tactics and called for an end to the lackadaisical lethargy borne of 30 years of a…

03 Jul

Stop using Nujoma – it exposes him

ObserverNational NewsFounding President Sam Nujoma, Parliament, SWAPO

National icons must not be used to prop up the speeches of politicians who have no skill at oratory and little idea of how to make a strong verbal argument. Doreen Sioka, a Swapo MP, this week used excerpts from the book written by Founding President Sam Nujoma. She was making her party's points in Parliament. By doing this, she exposed the founding leader to rebuttal. She used the great man as her shield. Subsequently, the ‘Nujoma’ shield was hit with incoming spears from an instigated opposition. People will not genuflect and capitulate when they hear the name Nujoma. The…

01 Jul

Parliamentary bout – round two

ObserverNational NewsBernadus Swartbooi, Henny Seibeb, LPM, Parliament, Speaker Peter Katjavivi

…as both sides forget that democracy is not easy Democracy is hard work. This week in Parliament, Speaker Peter Katjavivi, and LPM leaders Bernadus Swartbooi and Henny Seibeb forgot this. Each resorted to dictatorship, emotion and anger. The Speaker told two elected leaders to get out of the building. The two, Seibeb and Swartbooi, engaged in a goal-less diatribe, hurling personal insults at a citizen. To what end? Did their outburst create a single job? How is the drowning Namibian economy saved by that clash? In the Speaker’s case, there was a dangerous precedent set. Arguably, there was a misuse…

26 Jun

Parliament postpones abortion discussion

ObserverObserver MoneyDeputy Minister of Health, Esther Muinjangue, NUDO, Parliament

Andrew Kathindi The discussion on the issue of abortion has been postponed until Thursday 2 July, after it was officially raised in Parliament by NUDO leader and Deputy Minister of Health, Esther Muinjangue. After giving notice to the house to discuss the issue, Muinjangue raised the matter Thursday, although she maintained she was not for abortion in her personal capacity. “The fact is that there are young girls who carry out abortion, whether it is traveling to other neighbouring countries or whether carrying it out in the backyards of our homes, it is taking place. Abortion does not only affect…

25 Jun

Abortion debate enters Parliament

ObserverObserver MoneyAbortion, Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services, Esther Muinjangue, Parliament

Andrew Kathindi As the debate on the issue of abortion continues to gain momentum, Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services, Esther Muinjangue, has said while she is personally not for abortion, she intends to raise the matter for discussion and debate in the house tomorrow (Thursday). “For me, I have my own personal values that may not be my professional values. I would not go for abortion, but we are also in an era where human rights are being highlighted. Because this is also a woman’s body, let the women have a voice and take a decision as to…

05 Jun

Offer solutions, not drama

ObserverUncategorisedBernadus Swartbooi, Landless People’s Movement (LPM), Parliament

Comments by Landless People’s Movement (LPM) leader Bernadus Swartbooi calling for monthly $750 income grants for two years are unnecessary. Such pronouncements offer no solution, they only increase the drama. The new voices in the Parliament are the will of the Namibian people as democratically expressed at the ballot box last November. That vote was for increased debate and new ideas. The voters wanted competent challenges to the status quo of Swapo dominance in law-making that was not working. In light of the Finance Minister’s recent budget speech and statistics, anyone seriously demanding two years of N$750 per month payments…

05 Jun

Drama in Parliament as Geingob delivers SONA

ObserverObserver MoneyHarambee Prosperity Plan, Ministers, Parliament, president Hage Geingob, State of the Nation Address (SONA)

Staff Writer It was an eventful day in Parliament when President Hage Geingob delivered his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday. The address unlike his previous addresses during his first administration did not go as smoothly, as opposition parties in Parliament interrupted him. At one stage, the President took his seat while the Speaker of the National Assembly, Peter Katjavivi brought the house to order. In his address, the President said he was aware of the challenges currently faced by Namibians due to the negative impact of COVID-19. “Fellow Namibians, I share in your anxieties. I understand…