Rudolf Gaiseb

The Landless People’s Movement said United States president Donald Trump has responded to a letter by their leader and chief change campaigner, Bernadus Clinton Swartbooi. 

This was confirmed by David Eigub, LPM’s parliamentary chief whip. 

At the height of elections last year, Swartbooi and his orange army reached out to the US leader, claiming minority groups in Namibia were being discriminated against. 

The letter was sent late last year during the election period, with Swartbooi claiming that LPM members were preserving constant pressure and fear from Namibian security forces. 

“We have no choice but to ask President Donald Trump of the United States of America to immediately intervene. Our lives are on a knife’s edge. Our children’s lives are on a knife’s edge,” Swartbooi said in the letter. 

Asked when the public will hear about the content of the response, Eigub said, “We received a response. And we are busy. And things are looking very, very good”. 

He adde: “We are hard at work taking our people out of the conditions they find themselves in – the clutches of poverty, unemployment. A failed state…” 

Reaction 

Several MPs and politicians have since reacted to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s address to lawmakers. 

In no uncertain terms , Nandi-Ndaitwah did not hide disappointment in the lawmakers, and asked them to wake up from their slumber. 

Chiefly, she was unimpressed by the fact that no single legislation was passed last year, except for the budget. 

Former National Assembly speaker Peter Katjavivi lauded Nandi-Ndaitwah’s address, describing the delivery as “directive” and “informative”. 

The Members of Parliament were sworn in March last year. 

“[However], I now think we have come of age, and a great deal is expected from our members of Parliament to act on those outstanding bills,” he added. Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda was impressed by the President’s “balanced” speech. 

“She brushed everyone with the same comb, and did not blame individuals,” Amupanda said. He acknowledged the need for collaborative efforts towards the legislative agenda in the national interest. 

“Working together as Members of Parliament, not for expediency, but for the national interest,” he said. 

Amupanda noted that Parliament cannot be a pushover, where people just come in and rubber-stamp things, but laws must be scrutinised. 

The party looks forward to the President’s engagement at the state of the nation address. 

“But of course, we don’t take decisions only based on wonderful speeches. We take decisions based on a real programme of action,” he said. 

The political party’s agenda this year is to serve Namibia “for the people of Namibia to be first”. 

Fellow activist Ester Haikola- Sakaria noted that, “We are young people. We need to make sure that these bills benefit all Namibians”. 

Life-changing 

Popular Democratic Movement secretary general Manuel Ngaringombe hopes members understand that they are representing the citizens and should use the august House to change the lives of millions of Namibians on the streets. 

“I think that is the most important thing. It’s for them to know that they are not only selling themselves, but they are selling the people,” he stated. 

While talking about this, Ngaringombe spoke of the Petroleum Amendment Bill that redirects some power of the oil industry from the minister to the President. 

“Now, being the bill that gives the President more power, I think the question is how she’s going to balance those powers. Because she is part of the executive. She is the commander. How will she also be taking on the role of a minister and oversight of such an important industry within the country?” he questioned. 

He is, however, confident that Parliamentarians will really look at it so that this bill “cannot end up in an abuse”. 

Swanu lawmaker Evilastus Kaaronda also agrees that the bill has far-reaching repercussions and needs a robust interrogation before the proposed powers are handed over. 

As far as passing bills is concerned, Kaaronda also agrees with various State organs working as a collective to deliver to the nation. 

“Even if we have separate functions, we still remain a part of the same system,” he noted. 

Meanwhile, LPM’s parliamentarian Utaara Mootu seeks to bring the “oomph” to parliament this year as far as accountability is concerned. 

Moving clear from rhetoric and ideology, she said it is time to pull the country and Parliament towards unity. 

“The President spoke of ridding partisanship towards inclusive development and delivering service to Namibia’s disadvantaged communities. 

She spoke on accountability from Parliament and our important role to ensure that we are sure next year that it speaks to the demand of the community. 

And I will come in with a vibrant, robust energy that I’ll bring to the debate. We have motions now that we have set in place as the Landless People’s Movement that we’ll be bringing onto the table,” she underscored. 

She added, “I will be pushing this year to ensure that we account for the existing policies and the motions that we have tabled in Parliament, and that we strengthen our legislature, our accountability and our might.” 

-rrgaiseb@nepc.com.na