National Council vice chairperson, Emma Muteka has pledged to strengthen legislative oversight and reposition the council as a people-centred institution that responds directly to the needs of communities. 

In a recent interview with Nampa, Muteka, who is also serving her second term as councillor for the Windhoek West constituency, said her role would go beyond supporting the chairperson to ensuring that legislation and council resolutions translate into tangible improvements in the lives of Namibians. 

“In my capacity as vice chairperson, I see myself as a custodian of the people’s trust and a catalyst for legislative excellence. The National Council must not only review laws but also ensure that every piece of legislation reflects the lived realities of our citizens,” she said. 

She identified legislative modernisation and impact oversight as key focus areas of her tenure. According to Muteka, the Council must shift from procedural compliance to outcome-based governance, where oversight leads to improved infrastructure, service delivery and economic opportunities, particularly in underserved regions. 

She also said she would support initiatives aimed at strengthening the analytical and oversight capacity of councillors through training programmes that promote data-driven decision-making and active engagement with constituencies. 

On leadership continuity, she emphasised the importance of stability and ethical governance, noting that the Council must remain resilient despite political cycles. She said her approach would focus on preserving institutional memory while encouraging innovation and forward-thinking strategies. 

Addressing public engagement, Muteka said she intends to champion a “People’s Parliament” approach, which includes the use of digital platforms, social media and community town hall meetings to improve communication between the council and the public. 

“We must dismantle the perception of Parliament as an ivory tower. Citizens must be active participants in shaping policies that affect their lives,” she said. She also highlighted inclusivity as a central pillar of her leadership, stating that youth, women, people with disabilities and marginalised communities must feature prominently in legislative priorities and budget considerations. 

Muteka said she hopes her tenure will be remembered as a period in which the National Council became more accessible, transparent and effective in delivering meaningful change for citizens. -Nampa