• Staff Reporter
The 2026 legislative year officially opened on Tuesday, 03 February 2026, with a strong call for unity, accountability, and people-centered governance, as President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and Speaker of the National Assembly Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila urged Members of Parliament to rise above partisanship and deliver tangible results for Namibians.
Opening the Third Session of the Eighth Parliament at the National Assembly, President Nandi-Ndaitwah reminded lawmakers that Parliament derives its authority from the people and bears the constitutional responsibility of enacting laws that promote democracy, economic growth, social justice, and effective service delivery
She said Parliament reconvenes amid rising public expectations, with citizens closely following legislative performance, particularly in addressing unemployment, inequality, and poverty. These domestic challenges, she noted, are compounded by global economic uncertainty, climate pressures, and geopolitical instability, making Parliament’s role in crafting responsive and inclusive legislation more critical than ever.
The President expressed concern over Parliament’s performance during the previous year, revealing that only two out of nine Bills tabled were passed, both of them budget-related. She described this outcome as disappointing and urged lawmakers to refocus on their core constitutional duty of law-making rather than political point-scoring. “The people of Namibia deserve better services from their elected representatives,” President Nandi-Ndaitwah said, calling for debates that lead to solutions, timely passage of laws, and improved oversight on government performance.
In her welcoming remarks earlier, Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila emphasized that the opening of Parliament was not merely a procedural event, but a reaffirmation of Namibia’s collective commitment to democracy, accountability, and service to the people. She stressed that Parliament must be viewed as a living institution that continuously evolves to meet the aspirations of citizens, guided by the session’s theme of enhancing the role of Parliament for inclusive development and participatory democracy.
The Speaker highlighted the principle of complementarity among the three organs of state – the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary – noting that while each is autonomous, none operates in isolation. She said the separation of powers was designed to strengthen democracy through cooperation, mutual respect, and shared responsibility, rather than institutional rivalry. “As we have been reminded before, these three organs form a trinity that embodies the essence of democratic governance,” Honorable Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said, adding that collaboration among state institutions is essential for safeguarding the rule of law, accountability, and justice
Both leaders underscored the central role of the Constitution, describing it as a living covenant that reflects Namibia’s shared vision for peace, unity, and prosperity. The Speaker called on lawmakers to recommit to constitutionalism, particularly as the country prepares to commemorate Constitution Day, while the President reiterated that no individual or institution is above the law.
On development, President Nandi-Ndaitwah reaffirmed government’s focus on agriculture, manufacturing, and the digital economy as key drivers of inclusive growth and job creation, especially for young people. She emphasized that Namibia’s natural resources must be managed responsibly and sustainably, with increased local value addition to ensure that national wealth benefits the majority of citizens.
The Speaker echoed these sentiments, stressing that inclusive development requires Parliament to ensure that laws, policies, and budgets reflect the realities of all communities and that no Namibian is left behind. She further called for strengthened participatory democracy, urging Parliament to deepen engagement with citizens, including through digital platforms, to ensure that public voices inform legislative decisions
The Speaker equally agreed with President Nandi-Ndaitwa as she concluded with an appeal for unity across political lines, urging Members of Parliament to conduct themselves with dignity, discipline, and integrity, and to restore public confidence in the institution.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah expressed confidence that through cooperation between Parliament and the Executive, the Third Session of the Eighth Parliament can deliver meaningful legislative outcomes that improve the quality of life for all Namibians, before officially declaring the session open. The Opening of Parliament is one of the country’s key national events, marking a rare and significant occasion when all three branches of government come together, underscoring its prominence on the national calendar.
