ν Rafael Hangula
National Assembly Speaker Prof Peter Katjavivi has commended the outgoing Unicef country representative Rachel Odede for her unwavering support and dedication to Namibia.
He expressed these sentiments on Thursday when he received a farewell call from Odede.
Her six-year spell as Unicef representative in Namibia ends this Thursday.
Katjavivi said the working relationship between the National Assembly and Unicef Namibia has brought about changes in areas such as legislation and oversight, global participation, and commitment to children’s wellbeing.
“Our collaboration with Unicef has yielded remarkable outcomes. The Memorandum of Understanding we have signed (in 2021) paves the way for research-based data to shape our legislative processes, strengthen oversight mechanisms, guide budget allocations, and foster citizen engagement on matters concerning children’s rights”, he noted.
“So, those are some of the things we hold dear, and you have been an important partner in shaping these activities and helping us to strengthen the kind of framework that is guiding the work of parliament in this area,” Katjavivi added.
He emphasised that since the inception of the 5th Children’s Parliament in 2019, their partnership with Unicef has paved the way for a series of successful events. “These gatherings have provided young voices a platform to be heard, nurturing the seeds of active citizenship from an early stage”.
In 2022, Unicef supported the participation of members of the Children’s Parliament at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) General Assembly held in Bali, Indonesia – an experience, the Speaker said, broadened their horizons and deepened their understanding of global parliamentary processes.
On her part, Odede expressed appreciation to the Speaker and the government of Namibia for a wonderful working relationship.
“I am so moved by these glowing compliments. Let me take this opportunity really to thank the government of the Republic of Namibia, through you, for just giving me that space to be who I am, because without that confidence, I don’t think I would have achieved this. But it is the confidence that government had in me that enabled me to interact with almost every line ministry,” she beamed.
“I would like to commend you for being my mentor. You may not have known, but I really admire your resilience but also humility, knowledge and worth of information and experience,” Odede added.
“I end my assignment in Namibia with my head up because I am seeing the results. I have been here for six years. I am saying I am privileged because most representatives are around for four years, but Unicef allowed me to stay two more years. It has really helped me to lay the foundation for further engagements with the government,” she noted.
* Rafael Hangula works for the National Assembly in the Division: Research, Information, Publications and Editorial Services.