Sakeus Iikela
The Association of Regional Councils (ARC) has called for Regional Councils to be given a stronger voice in the National Council to ensure regional perspectives are fully reflected in national policy and legislation.
Speaking at the 2nd National Council – Regional Councils Annual Conference in Windhoek, Hon. Mbangu Simushi, Chairperson of the Zambezi Regional Council and President of ARC, said the current arrangement limits Regional Councils’ influence in shaping laws and policies.
He suggested Namibia draw lessons from South Africa, where the South African Local Government Association has representation in the National Council of Provinces as non-voting members.
“ARC has over the years united and strengthened the voice of regional government in Namibia, provided platforms to exchange good governance practices and reflected on common constraints that impair service delivery,” Simushi said.
“However, ARC does not have a permanent voice in the National Council to embrace the spirit of cooperative governance and intergovernmental relations.”
Simushi also highlighted ARC’s contribution to decentralisation, policy reform lobbying, and its partnership with the National Council on initiatives such as the Constituency Fund Bill and amendments to key legislation.
He made these remarks during the opening session of the second National Council and Regional Councils annual consultative conference which took place in Katima Mulilo, Zambezi region.
Held under the theme “Towards Responsive Governance: Elucidating the Mandates of the National Council and Regional Council,” the conference brings together Regional Council chairpersons, Chief Regional Officers, and other stakeholders to reflect on their constitutional mandates and improve coordination between the two tiers of government.
In his opening remarks, Chairperson of the National Council Hon. Lukas Sinimbo Muha acknowledged that Regional Councils need to play a more active role in the legislative review process and in implementing resolutions adopted at national level.
“The ‘umbilical cord’ relationship established by Article 68 of the Namibian Constitution underscores the need for structured and sustainable consultation and collaboration between the two institutions,” he said.
Reflecting on last year’s inaugural conference held in Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Muha highlighted key issues discussed then, including the correct interpretation of legal provisions governing the election of Regional Council Management Committees, calls to review the Regional Council Act, full implementation of the Decentralisation Act, and greater participation of Regional Councils in natural resource management.
Other issues included the appointment of Parliament Desk Officers and increased female participation through the Women’s Caucus.
“This year’s conference will review the outcomes of the first meeting and assess the impact of their implementation,” Muha said.
“We aspire for Regional Councils to continuously and meaningfully participate in the legislative review process, and for the three Members representing their regions to provide enriched regional input during bill reviews,” he added.
He added that the current administration, under President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, has instilled renewed hope and commitment to “hands-on” governance, and urged institutional principals and administrators to fully implement the resolutions of the conference.
Muha called on delegates to engage in meaningful discussions and leverage their diverse expertise to address the challenges and opportunities facing the National Council and the regions.
“Our deliberations will be grounded on constructive dialogue, idea-sharing, and collective problem-solving,” he said.
