With less than five weeks before the term of the current members of Parliament ends, National Assembly Speaker Peter Hitjitevi Katjavivi (PK) is satisfied with their performance over the past five years.
New Era’s Lahja Nashuuta (LN) touch base with Katjivivi.
LN: What is your take on the performance of the crop of MPs?
PK: Parliament has demonstrated commendable dedication to legislative duties, navigating complex challenges with resilience. MPs have actively engaged in robust debates, reflecting a commitment to democratic principles and the diverse interests of our nation. Their collaborative efforts have resulted in significant legislative advancements, underscoring the strength of our parliamentary system.
LN: Are you satisfied with the overall achievements of this Parliament?
PK: Yes, I am satisfied with the achievements of this Parliament. We have passed significant legislation, such as the Access to Information Act, which promotes transparency and accountability in governance. Additionally, the Combating of Domestic Violence Amendment Act was passed to strengthen protection against domestic abuse. These are just two of the many other important developmentally orientated legislation passed.
Beyond legislation, Parliament has made strides in institutional reforms, including the launch of the Namibia E-Parliament Strategy 2022-2027. This is transforming the legislative process through digitalisation. The Parliament clinic was established to provide essential healthcare services to members and staff, ensuring a healthy work environment. Furthermore, outreach initiatives, such as Parliament on Wheels, have been instrumental in bringing Parliament closer to the people, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility.
LN: What were some of the highlights of this Parliament?
PK: Over the past year, Namibia’s Parliament has achieved significant milestones, showcasing a proactive approach to governance and transparency, despite encountering several challenges along the way.
One of the key successes has been the marked improvement in public outreach and accessibility.
The increased use of social media and mainstream media has notably boosted Parliament’s visibility, enabling Namibians to remain better informed about legislative developments.
“We’ve worked hard to ensure the public has a voice and is included in the democratic process,” remarked a parliamentary representative.
A particularly notable achievement has been the parliamentary oversight visits conducted by the standing committees to government projects and facilities across various regions. These visits, alongside public hearings and stakeholder consultations, have strengthened Parliament’s ability to hold the government to account and address pressing issues within local communities.
On the international front, Namibia’s Parliament has been actively engaged in various prestigious inter-parliamentary forums, including the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF), the Pan African Parliament (PAP) and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
These forums have facilitated valuable exchanges, providing Namibia with a platform to contribute to global and continental parliamentary dialogues.
Between 2020 and 2024, several key milestones were achieved, including the passing of the following bills: the Access to Information Act, which intends to promote government transparency.
The Combating of Domestic Violence Amendment Act to strengthen protection against domestic abuse, as well as the Namibia Investment Promotion and Facilitation Act, aimed at improving the business environment.
In terms of institutional advancements, Parliament launched Namibia’s E-Parliament Strategy 2022–2027, ensuring a digital and paperless legislative process.
There was also the establishment of the Parliament Clinic, improving healthcare services for MPs and staff.
The introduction of Parliament on Wheels, a mobile parliamentary outreach programme, brings governance closer to rural communities.
Domestically, Parliament has made commendable strides in several areas.
The long-awaited Customer Service Charter has been finalised.
It is set for launch before the close of the financial year, underscoring Parliament’s commitment to enhancing citizen engagement.
A new Fleet Management Policy has been approved, aimed at streamlining Parliament’s vehicle usage.
LN: What about youth engagement?
PK: Regarding youth engagement, the Children’s Parliament convened multiple times, allowing young people to voice their concerns and contribute to policymaking.
These milestones reflect Parliament’s commitment to governance, public engagement and progressive policymaking.
LN: What challenges did Parliament face during this term?
The transition to a more digital and modernised Parliament has not been without its challenges. The move towards a paperless Parliament in 2018 marked a significant step forward.
The implementation of virtual sittings during the Covid-19 pandemic further demonstrated adaptability.
Yet, ongoing challenges surrounding the upgrade of information technology infrastructure and the enhancement of internet bandwidth persist, though progress is being made with a target of achieving 150 Mbps bandwidth by 2027.
Despite these hurdles, Parliament’s commitment to technological progress remains clear.
Staff have been provided with laptops to support remote work.
Moreover, committee rooms have been integrated with the chamber for virtual meetings.
Looking ahead, a similar upgrade for the National Council is planned for completion by 2027.
Parliament experiences challenges when it comes to implementation.
While many parliamentary committees produced insightful reports and recommendations, ensuring follow-through on implementation remained a challenge due to bureaucratic delays.
There have been budgetary constraints.
Limited financial resources, particularly for parliamentary standing committees, affected oversight and outreach activities.
Despite these challenges, Parliament remained steadfast in its commitment to legislative progress and institutional reforms.
LN: Parliament has invested heavily in information technology and digital technology over the years. What drives these initiatives?
PK: The Namibia E-Parliament Strategy 2022-2027 was driven by a commitment to modernising legislative processes, enhancing transparency and increasing public engagement.
By transitioning to digital platforms, Parliament has reduced paper usage, making processes more efficient and environmentally friendly, allowing real-time updates and improved access to legislative documents.
Parliament facilitated remote participation, ensuring inclusivity, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Improved accessibility for citizens allows online access to debates, bills and committee reports.
This initiative has positioned Parliament as a forward-thinking institution, responsive to the needs of the digital age.
LN: There is a consensus that recommendations and reports from parliamentary committees are not efficiently implemented. Do you agree?
PK: While parliamentary committees diligently produce insightful reports and recommendations, challenges in implementation can arise due to factors such as resource limitations and inter-governmental-parliamentary coordination. Recognising this, Parliament has intensified efforts to strengthen follow-up mechanisms and enhance collaboration with relevant government agencies to ensure committee outputs translate into tangible actions. Additionally, tracking mechanisms are being developed to monitor the progress of recommendations more effectively. The Directorate of Committee Services has included in their staff a Chief Parliamentary Clerk for Monitoring and Evaluation.
LN: Over the years, MPs have expressed concerns about the underfunding of parliamentary standing committees. As Speaker, how has your office addressed this issue, and what recommendations do you have for the future?
PK: Addressing the funding challenges of standing committees has been a priority. We have engaged with the finance ministry to advocate for increased budget allocations, emphasising the critical role these committees play in legislative oversight.
Additionally, resource-sharing initiatives have been implemented to maximise efficiency. For the future, I recommend that Parliament explore alternative funding avenues, such as partnerships with international organisations, to supplement government funding.
There should be a performance-based funding model, ensuring that standing committees with impactful recommendations receive adequate resources.
Furthermore, increasing public-private collaborations will enhance research capacity and outreach programmes.
These measures will strengthen the effectiveness of parliamentary committees and improve oversight functions.