News

Sakeus Iikela The Russian government has expressed openness to increasing the scholarship quota for Namibian students, particularly in the field of medicine, to further strengthen the relationship between the two countries. This announcement was made by Senator Yelena Perminova, the Chairperson of the Committee on Social Policy and Head of the Friendship Group for Cooperation…

Sakeus Iikela In a historic engagement, the Namibia-Russia Parliamentary Friendship Group held its first meeting in Windhoek to fortify the existing cooperation agreement and chart a future course for inter parliamentary interactions. The meeting was attended by members of the National Council and a delegation of members of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly…

Sakeus Iikela Chairperson of the National Council, Hon. Lukas Sinimbo Muha, has emphasised the need for Namibia to deepen its relations with Indonesia to achieve tangible cooperation and collaboration in agriculture, aiming to boost food security.  He made these remarks during a meeting with members of the Indonesian Parliament, who are visiting Namibia on a…

THE University of Namibia this week graduated 27 Members of the National Council who successfully completed the Parliamentary Practice and Conduct Course at the ceremony held in Windhoek. Originally designed as a short course for parliamentarians, it has since evolved into a fully-fledged university program known as the Certificate in Parliamentary Practice and Conduct. The course…

Chairperson of the National Council, Honourable Lukas Sinimbo Muha officially opened the 2nd Session of the 3rd Junior National Council (JNC) today (11 September 2023) in the National Council Chamber at Parliament. In his address, the Presiding Officer expressed that there is a common perception in today’s world that the young generation is apathetic towards…

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Science, ICT and Youth Development concluded the first of its two-part oversight visit to various regions to assess the causes of the failure rate of learners who sat for the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary Level (NSSCO) and the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Advanced Subsidiary (NSSCAS) levels in the…

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, Security, Constitutional and Legal Affairs (HASCLA) concluded its oversight engagements with selected Organizations, Ministries and Agencies (OMAs) under their ambit in Swakopmund, Erongo Region. During a briefing with the Executive Director (ED) in the Ministry of Justice, the Committee probed on the delay in the promulgation of the…

Hon Lukas Sinimbo Muha, Chairperson of the National Council and also the Deputy Chairperson of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region is attending the 85th Executive Committee meeting in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from 03 – 07 August 2023. The CPA Africa Region is one of the key organs within the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association…

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, Security, Constitutional and Legal Affairs (HASCLA) is conducting oversight engagements with selected Organizations, Ministries and Agencies (OMAs) under their ambit in Swakopmund, Erongo Region. So far, the Committee met the Magistrates Commission to discuss staffing issues, backlog of cases and delays  experienced in the conclusion of cases, particularly petty…

Sakeus Iikela Chairperson of the National Council Hon. Lukas Sinimbo Muha, has called on African leaders to revisit their socio-economic developmental agendas and prioritise eradicating hunger and poverty on the continent. He made these remarks during a discussion on food security at the 18th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers in Yaoundé, Cameroon. According to…

Windhoek – Landless People’s Movement Constituency Councillors from the //Kharas region were sworn-in as Members of Parliament in the National Council this morning, 11 July 2023. The MPs are returning Karasburg East Councillor, Hon. Anseline Vincentina Beukes and newly-elected Keetmanshoop Rural Constituency Councillor, Hon. Willem Labuschagne. The LPM seats in the National Council became vacant…

The final week of the Second Ordinary Session of the Sixth Parliament commenced with Committee Meetings. Today, 30 May 2023, the Committee on Education, Culture, Tourism and Human Resources; Committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline; Committee on Audit and Public Accounts as well as the Committee on Transport, Communication, Energy, Science, and Technology were the…

Story by Sakeus Kadhikwa The two Parliamentary Standing Committees of the National Assembly (Economics and Public Administration and that of Natural Resources) jointly organised a six-day oversight workshop in Swakopmund from the 29th May – 03 June 2023. Which brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including members of the Parliamentary Standing Committees on Economics…

Clad in beautiful and colourful traditional attire from across the continent, Members of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) commemorated a vibrant Africa Day and 60th Anniversary of the African Union yesterday, 25 May 2023 during the Second Ordinary Session of the Sixth Parliament at its headquarters in Midrand, South Africa. The call was for a re-ignited…

Midrand, South Africa: The Pan-African Parliament concluded its two-day workshop on the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) yesterday, 23 May 2023. The workshop which took place on the sidelines of the ongoing Second Session of the Sixth Parliament was aimed at devising strategies to accelerate continental free trade on the continent. Hon. McHenry Venaani,…

A MAJORITY of the African countries that are part of the Commonwealth are united behind the plan to restructure the organisation to give it relevance in the modern world. Under this plan, the member states intend to reform the organisation to address perceived imbalances and strengthen its relevance, taking into account issues such as representation,…

Kenyan President, H.E William Ruto addressed the third African Parliamentarians Summit on Climate Policy and Equity, hosted by the Pan- African Parliament today (17 May 2023) in Midrand, South Africa. President Ruto addressed the summit in his capacity as the Head of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change. The…

MIDRAND, SOUTH AFRICA– The Second Ordinary Session of the Sixth Pan-African Parliament commenced on Monday, 15 May in Midrand, South Africa under the theme, “Accelerating the implementation of African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA). At the occasion, President of the Union of Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union, H.E Azali Assoumani delivered the Keynote…

The Implementation and Coordination Committee of the National Council conducted an evaluation exercise from the 27th to the 31st of March 2023, where all Chairpersons of Standing Committees accounted for the execution of the activities of their respective Committees. The purpose of the evaluation exercise was to assess progress made on the implementation of the…

the National Council Standing Committees’ Annual Planning Session is underway at Parliament. The all-important engagement sets out key activities that Standing Committees plan to undertake in the 2023/2024 financial year. Opening the four-day indaba, Chairperson of the National Council, Hon. Lukas Sinimbo Muha stated the importance of planning together and for Members to take full…

On the 22nd of March, the Chairperson of the National Council, Hon. Sinimbo Lukas Muha entered into a historic cooperation agreement with the Federal Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, in Moscow, Russia. The signing of the cooperation agreement stems from Her Excellency, Mrs. Valentina Matviyenko, Chairperson of the Federal Council of…

By: Sakeus Iikela Namibia’s National Council and the Federal Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on Wednesday signed an agreement which will facilitate the interaction and cooperation between Members of Parliament and staff of the two countries. The Chairperson of the National Council Hon, Lukas Sinimbo Muha, who is in Russia for…

Finance and Public Enterprises minister Iipumbu Shiimi today (22 February 2023)  tabled a N$ 84.6 billion budget in the National Assembly for the 2023/24 financial year, which represents an increase of 9.7 percent from the comparable levels for last year. The theme of this year’s budget is “Economic Revival and Caring for the Poor”. “I…

The Namibian Parliament’s House of Review celebrates an illustrious Pearl Anniversary under the theme: “Celebrating Three Decades of Promoting Inclusive Participatory Democracy Through Regional Representation.”  The National Council held its inaugural sitting on 23 February 1993, after the first Regional Council’s Elections of 1992. As the Upper House of the Namibian Parliament, the constitutional mandate…

OFFICIAL OPENING OF PARLIAMENT – 2023 The Parliament of the Republic of Namibia will officially open the 2023 calendar year under the theme “Enhancing Namibia’s Parliamentary Democracy Post COVID-19”. The opening address of this distinctive event will be delivered by His Excellency the President, Dr. Hage G. Geingob on the 14th of February 2023 at…

Sakeus Iikela Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Peter Katjavivi together with members of parliament, Hon. Emma Muteka and Hon. Lucia Witbooi officiated the launch of the Namibia e-Parliament Strategy on Thursday, 15 December 2022. The strategy is aimed at accelerating efficiency within the operation of parliament and in its interaction with stakeholders. Katjavivi said…

Venezuelan Member of the Latin-American and Caribbean Parliament, known as the Parlatino, Mr. Jullo Rafael Chavez Melendez paid a courtesy call on the National Council Chairperson. In their brief discussion, Hon. Lukas Muha expressed gratitude to Venezuela and its people for their contribution to Namibia’s independence, as well as the good relations the two countries…

Story by George Sanzila Windhoek – Speaker of the National Assembly Hon. Prof. Peter Katjavivi recalled his last moments with his late wife, in a moving tribute he delivered during a memorial service that was held on Thursday (18/08/22) to honour her memory. Jane Katjavivi lost her life in the presence of her husband while…

Various representatives from Government Ministries held briefing sessions with Members of Parliament today, 9 August 2022. The meetings were for MPs to be sensitized and given the gist of the proposed amendments to Bills that were referred from the National Assembly to the National Council for review. First up, was the Ministry of Industrialization and…

The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development briefed Members of Parliament on the long-awaited Constituency Development Fund on Friday, 5 August 2022. MPs expressed disappointment at the slow pace and lack of urgency with which the Bill, commonly referred to as the CDF Bill, has been handled. MPs stressed that the passing and implementation of…

Story by George Sanzila Lilongwe, Malawi – SADC countries should collaborate and exploit potential energy sources existing in the region in order to curtail the long-standing energy crisis that has been exacerbated by the effects of the ongoing war in eastern Europe. These sentiments were shared by Hon. Agnes Kafula at a symposium of the…

Zimbabwean Chief, Fortune Charumbira was elected as the new President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) late Wednesday evening (29 June 2022). Charumbira’s election was widely celebrated in Southern Africa as he is first person from the sub-region to lead PAP. Although he was the sole presidential candidate, running for PAP presidency requires the support of…

With deep sadness I, Lukas Sinimbo Muha, Chairperson of the National Council, have learned of the passing of my comrade, friend and former National Council Member, late Comrade Ambrosius Kandjii, who passed away in the early hours of Wednesday, 8 June 2022 in Gobabis. Late Comrade Kandjii was a Member of the National Council, Parliament…

With deep sadness, the Secretary to the National Council, Adv. Tousy Namiseb, hereby, announces the untimely passing of Mr. Protasius Nambudhi, who was a Security Operations Officer in the Security and Operations Division: Office of the Secretary. Mr. Nambudhi passed away on Friday, 3 June 2022 in a tragic car accident. Mr. Nambudhi, or Prota…

ReconNamibia, a subsidiary of the Canadian-based oil and gas company, ReconAfrica held a briefing session yesterday (30 May 2022) with Members of Parliament to expound on their oil and gas exploration expedition in the Kavango regions. The purpose of the meeting was to an information sharing briefing on the status of oil discovery in Namibia as…

Members of Parliament attended a Parliamentary Public Engagement on Tackling Climate Change – Forestry as a Key Sector today, 20 May 2022. The aim of the engagement is to strengthen the Namibian Governments’ work in addressing the unsustainable use of timber resources and uncontrolled deforestation. Officially opening the event, Chairperson of the National Council, Hon. Lukas…

Hon. Ephraim Nekongo was today (12/05/2022) sworn in as a Member of Parliament in the National Assembly by the Chief Justice, His Honour Peter Shivute. His appointment follows the resignation of Hon. Leon Jooste from the National Assembly.

  Story by George Sanzila Windhoek – Members of Parliament from the South African National Council of Provinces (NCOP) that are visiting the National Council for benchmarking, paid a courtesy call on the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Prof. Peter Katjavivi today (10/05/2022). The NCOP is the equivalent of the National Council in Namibia.…

Members of the South African Parliament in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), paid a courtesy call on the Chairperson of the National Council, Hon. Lukas Muha earlier today, 10 May 2022. The Chairperson welcomed the visiting delegation heartily, noting that due to its representative role, a visit to the National Council equates a visit…

The official launch of the Parliamentarian Practice and Conduct Course of Members of Parliament in the National Council took place yesterday, 9 May 2022 at Parliament. Speaking at the event, the Chairperson of the National Council Hon. Lukas Muha stated that a program of this nature enhances the general understanding of the separation of powers…

The Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Namibia, H.E. Hanan Jarrar paid a Courtesy call on the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Prof. Peter Katjavivi today (21/04/2022). The two exchanged views on the need for Parliamentary cooperation between Namibia and Palestine. Their discussion embedded on various areas of collaboration aimed at reinforcing the…

The National Council Standing Committee on Home Affairs, Security, Constitutional and Legal Affairs (HASCLA) conducted oversight visits to several national border posts across the country to assess the status of the borders from the 7th to the 25th of March 2022. The oversight activity was two-fold, as while on the visit to gazetted border posts, the Standing…

The Speaker of the National Assembly Hon Prof Peter Katjavivi today (11/04/2022) held a meeting with the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) on issues of mutual interest. The meeting also served as a platform to introduce new ECN Commissioners. The Chairperson of the ECN Elsie Nghikembua and the Chief Electoral Officer Theo Mujoro led the…

Story by George Sanzila Windhoek – Japan Ambassador to Namibia, H.E. Hideaki Harada bid farewell to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Prof. Peter Katjavivi today (08/04/22). H.E. Harada’s term of office as Ambassador in Namibia started in 2018. Ambassador Harada noted during the farewell that Japan’s interest has always been to strengthen political,…

  The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism says that government held several consultations with different stakeholders including the Chief of the Hambukushu Traditional Authority, Fumu Erwin Mbambo regarding the issue of Bwabwata National Park. The Ministry says that according to the Cabinet submission of 08 June 1999, the Ministry of Lands, Resettlement and Rehabilitation,…

Story by George Sanzila Windhoek – Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Prof. Peter Katjavivi says even though Namibia’s contribution to greenhouse gas emissions is negligible, it continues to bear the brunt of climate change. Hon. Katjavivi mentioned this recently during a debate at the ongoing Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) 144th Assembly taking place in…

BWABWATA-The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs undertook a Fact-Finding visit to Bwabwata National Park from 14 March 2022 to 17 March 2022 prompted by a petition submitted to the National Assembly on 19 November 2021 by the Hambukushu Traditional Authority. The petition titled “Petition on the Management of Bwabwata Communal Land by…

Chairperson of the National Council, Hon. Lukas Sinimbo Muha’s outreach programme continued on the 21st of February 2022, with the Presiding Officer paying a Courtesy visit to the Governor of the Kavango East region, Hon. Bonifatius Wakudumo were various developmental and socio-economic issues in the region were discussed. This was followed by a well-attended community…

On 23 February 2022, the National Council celebrated 29 years. The National Council held its inaugural sitting on 23 February 1993, after the first Regional and Local Authority Elections held in November 1992 elected the first Regional Councillors in an independent Namibia. At inception, the National Council had only two parties represented in the House…

WINDHOEK- Office Bearers and Secretariat from the Southern Africa Development Community Organisation of Public Accounts Committees (SDACOPAC) today (22/02/2022) met with the Speaker of the National Assembly Hon Prof Peter Katjavivi as they continue with their three-day working visit to the parliament of Namibia. The Speaker has informed the SDACOPAC delegation that the National Assembly…

  The Southern Africa Development Community Organisation of Public Accounts Committees (SADCOPAC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) to empower Members of Parliament (MPs) from the member states to effectively carry out their functions of oversight over public sector finances as well as promoting good governance in…

  Windhoek- Office Bearers from the Southern Africa Development Community Organisation of Public Accounts Committees (SADCOPAC) and Secretariat are here in Namibia for a three-day (21-23 February 2022) working visit to the Parliament of Namibia. The aim of the visit is to discuss the role and objectives of SADCOPAC and the progress on the implementation…

First in kick-starting the events of the two-week long activities which started on Monday, 14 February, was a courtesy call on the Governor of the Otjozondjupa Region, Hon. James Uerikua, where the National Council Chairperson, Hon. Lukas Muha shared the purpose and aim of the regional visits. After the courtesy call on the Governor, the…

Pamela Mate Senior Staff of the National Council together with Members of the Ministerial Implementation Team (MIT), are meeting to formulate and craft a new Strategic Plan for the 2022 – 2027 period. Prior to the pre-working workshop meeting currently underway, the respective Directorates within the institution had one-on-one sessions with the consultant, in which…

Pamela Mate The Chairperson of the National Council, Hon. Lukas Sinimbo Muha, will be conducting regional visits to the Otjozondjupa and Kavango East regions from Monday, 14 February to Saturday, 27 February 2022. The regional visits by the Office of the Chairperson forms part of Outreach Programme activities as set out in the National Council…

Story by George Sanzila Windhoek – The Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Prof. Peter Katjavivi has suggested that civic education be held to inform and educate Namibian citizens about the purpose and importance of the constitution. Hon. Katjavivi said this in an interview with the media on Wednesday, (09/02/2022) during the marking of the…

  Story by George Sanzila A three-day training workshop for the National Assembly Select Committee on budget focusing on public financial management, the budget process and oversight is currently underway. The workshop is organized in collaboration with the Enhancing Participatory Democracy in Namibia (EPDN) programme, which is a partnership programme of the European Union and…

    Story by George Sanzila Windhoek – Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Prof. Peter Katjavivi in the company of his Deputy, Hon. Prof. Loide Kasingo addressed the management of the institution today (02/02/2022), in a meeting meant to set the tone for the year 2022 for the institution. The meeting was aimed at…

National Council: 2021 in Review. The legislative business of the 6th National Council Chamber took place in the 1st to the 3rd Quarter in the financial Year ending 2021/2022, during the period between 10 May to 09 December 2021. Amid the challenging times due to the global Covid 19 pandemic, the National Council held two…

Pamela Mate   A meeting between Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Parliament took place today (24 January 2022), aimed as discussing collaboration between the two entities in Parliament’s role of oversight of public policies and programmes. In her introductory remarks, Secretary to the National Assembly, Ms. Lydia Kandetu, underscored the need for such engagements, noting…

Pamela Mate The Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Hon. Erastus Uutoni, yesterday (7 December 2021) briefed Members of the National Council on the status of the Constituency Development Fund Bill, commonly referred to as the CDF Bill. The Minister informed the Members that consultations by the Cabinet Committee on Treasury had been concluded and…

Pamela Mate The National Council this week (29 November 2021) inaugurated two new Members. The new Members of Parliament are Hon. Kosmas Kayayuka Katura from the Musese Constituency in the Kavango East region and Hon. Bennety Likukela Busihu from Kongoloa Constituency in the Zambezi region. The Members replaced the late Katima Mulilo Urban Constituency Councillor…

Pamela Mate This week, Members of the 6th National Council are meeting key stakeholders in efforts to strengthen cooperation, highlight key issues and deepen consultation and communication between the Standing Committees of the National Council and Government Ministries, Agencies and Organizations (OMAs). The engagement is being held under the theme: Reflections on Oversight Framework. Speaking…

Indian High Commissioner to Namibia, H.E. Prashant Agrawal visited the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Prof. Peter Katjavivi today (09/11/21). The two exchanged views on the envisioned Namibian Parliament museum. The Speaker noted that the museum, which he says would encompass artefacts and an interactive digital display of information, was important in terms of…

Windhoek – The Chairperson of the National Road Safety Council (NRSC), Elifas !Owos-Oab says the fragmentation of road safety management is hampering efforts to properly manage safety on Namibian roads. !Owos –Oab said this in response to concerns raised by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economics and Public Administration during a consultative meeting today (10/11/21).…

The Secretaries of Parliament is attending the Society of Clerks at the Table Seminar in Nairobi, Kenya. The seminar is held under the theme “Promoting adaptive programming in Parliamentary settings as a response to emergency and emerging global, regional and national challenges”. The Society of Clerks-at-the-Table of the Commonwealth Parliaments (SoCATT) was founded in 1932…

Story by George Sanzila Windhoek – The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Accounts was briefed by the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) on its roles and responsibilities today (30/09/2021). The meeting is part of a series of consultative meetings with different stakeholders meant to understand their roles in order to empower the committee to conduct its…

Story by George Sanzila   Windhoek – Members of Parliament from the Parliamentary Standing committee on Natural Resources and the committee on Economics and Public Administration undertook site visits to various renewable and eco-friendly initiatives within the vicinity of Windhoek yesterday (13/09/2021). The visits are part of a project aimed at raising awareness about the…

Story By Benisia Kwafeinge Nghiivali and David Nahogandja (Editor)   The International University of Management (IUM) second-year Business Law students took a tour of the Parliament today, September 10th, 2021. Their lecturer, Dr. Wilfred Isak April, stated that this excursion will benefit students since they will be able to witness how the law is produced in…

The 4th session of 7th Parliament resumes tomorrow Tuesday, 07 September, 2021 at 14h30. The House will be in session until Thursday 25th November 2021.

Hon. Dr. Rebecca Ndjoze –Ojo was sworn in today (17/08/21) as a Member of Parliament in the National Assembly by Judge Elton Hoff. Her appointment follows the passing of the late Hon. Venomuinjo Kauaria.

Story by Paulina Ndalikokule Windhoek – The Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Prof. Peter Katjavivi launched the revamped Parliament website today. The revamping of the website was made possible through the assistance of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS). The renewed website that is now replete with many features including the livestream of parliament sessions…

Story by George Sanzila Windhoek – The 49th SADC-PF Plenary Assembly hosted virtually by Botswana, has just begun. The event is expected to be officially opened shortly by the president of Botswana , H.E. Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi. The Plenary Assembly advises the SADC summit on matters of regional policy issues and promotes the objectives and…

Story by Benisia Nghiivali and Paulina Ndalikokule Windhoek- The National Assembly, in collaboration with UNICEF, convened a special session for Members of the 5th Children’s Parliament on Friday, which provided crucial input and assessment of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Namibia. The session, which was attended virtually and in person by…

Hon Lukas Muha, MP and Chairperson of the National Council briefing the Standing Committee Session Story by Pamela Mate The National Council Standing Committees Planning Session which started on Thursday, 26 May ended today, Friday 27 May 2021 when Standing Committee Chairpersons presented their 2021/2022 budget and activity plan to the House.Yesterday’s event started on…

Speaker of the National Assembly Hon. Prof Peter Katjavivi with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Country Representative in Namibia, Frey Gruenhagen Story by Rafael Hangula Windhoek – The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Country Representative in Namibia, Frey Gruenhagen paid a Courtesy Call on the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon Prof. Peter Katjavivi yesterday, (01/06/2021). Their discussion centered on several…