Edward Mumbuu

Parliament must enact laws that will boost investments while also inspiring confidence in the citizenry if Namibia is to realise her full potential, President Hage Geingob says, setting the tone for the 2023 legislative calendar. The President was speaking during the opening of the seventh session of the seventh parliament in the capital yesterday.

“There is a pertinent need for you to enact laws that are effective at buttressing the safety and security of our citizens, protecting the most vulnerable members of our society, enabling the growth of industry, as well as promoting investment and economic trade,” he told lawmakers on Valentine’s Day. He added: “Our laws should instill the confidence in our people, investors and visitors that Namibia is a country where the rights and human dignity of all is respected and protected.” The State machinery is now in full swing after Geingob presided over the opening of its two other branches – the Judiciary and Executive – in the last seven days. It is his fervent position that members of parliament play an integral role in ensuring that the wishes and aspirations of Namibians are catered for.

“Therefore, the legislative mandate of parliament must be fulfilled to its fullest degree if we are to become a prosperous nation… In Namibia, our parliament symbolises our representative democracy and the multiplicity of our political organisations, interests and ideas,” the politician said. Setting the tone for the year, Geingob pointed to some Bills that are due for tabling. They include the High Court Amendment Bill, Magistrates Court Amendment Bill, Divorce Bill, Child Justice Bill, Ombudsman Bill, Marriage Bill, Uniform Matrimonial Property Regime Bill and the Civil Registration and Identification Bill. The others are the Roads Bill, Vehicle Mass Bill, Land Bill and the Research, Science, Technology and Innovation Bill. “The High Court Amendment Bill is intended to impose judicial oversight on the sale and execution of the immovable property of debtors by creditors to ensure that the rights of both parties are adequately protected throughout the process.

“The Bill further provides the Judge-President with powers to make procedural rules for the cession of rights to institute proceedings, and to adjudicate commercial disputes and administrative matters relating to the appointment and related terms,” he expounded. “The objective is to protect the rights of debtors in the sale of primary homes in execution by judgement creditors, thereby enhancing the protection of the right to human dignity and the right to housing,” he said. This speaks to a troubling situation involving the repossession of houses. “The process of home foreclosures can be a humiliating and traumatic experience, especially for the most vulnerable members of society. I am, therefore, pleased to note that we are moving towards ensuring that the dignity of our citizens is protected, and that there will be judicial oversight on the sale and execution of immovable properties,” he continued.

The lack of housing and exorbitant housing prices remain a thorn in the flesh of the government. Reacting to Geingob’s address outside the parliamentary chamber, official opposition leader McHenry Venaani was pleased with the president’s remarks, albeit with reservations. He said the president touched on a myriad of contemporary issues confronting ordinary Namibians, but failed to address the elephants in the room. Chiefly, Geingob should have taken the nation into confidence on how the government intends to turn around the fortunes of the ailing education and health sectors. “The president has fallen short on the question of a whistle-blower protection officer. I thought he would come strong on that… There are critical areas that need to be legislated on. The construction council is not there. We need to address the question of housing. The president did also not touch on the education crisis because parliament has to deal with the education crisis,” the seasoned political tactician said. On their part, the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) will table a housing motion in parlaiament. - emumbuu@nepc.com.na