The Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises, Ipumbu Shiimi, will table the budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2024-2025 in the National Assembly tomorrow at 14:30.
The national budget encompasses government revenue, expenditure, and borrowing strategies, as well as pivotal policy priorities.
The ministry is, however, worried about an expected decrease in Southern African Customs Union (SACU) revenue, one of its major sources of income.
The National Assembly and the National Council had a joint session today to commemorate the 34th anniversary of the Namibian Constitution.
Parliamentarians paid tribute to the late President Hage Geingob, reflecting on the profound journey that led to the birth of the Constitution, adopted on February 9, 1990, under the leadership of Dr. Geingob.
The adoption of the Namibian Constitution exactly 34 years ago ushered in the road to a new state, dismantling apartheid-era laws, ensuring equality before the law, and guaranteeing fundamental human rights.
The National Assembly unveiled its strategic plan for 2023–2027, building upon the achievements of the previous strategic plan for 2018–2020.
The aim of the plan is to enhance the core pillars of the National Assembly, namely lawmaking, representing the people, oversight visits, and fiscal stewardship.
The Speaker of the National Assembly, Professor Peter Katjavivi, stated that the plan mirrors the inherent strategic plan design followed by all three organs of the Namibian State.
The National Assembly has adopted a motion addressing the inclusion of Namibian former mine workers in southern Africa for compensation.
The motion was moved by Swapo Party MP Sebastiaan Karupu, who urged the house to directly adopt the motion to avoid referrals to the standing committee, citing potential delays and resource constraints.
The report on the outreach programme to the Ohangwena Region, led by Deputy Speaker Loide Kasingo, which highlighted challenges faced by citizens, including drought, hunger, and limited access to essential services, was adopted after deliberations in the National Assembly.
The report covered diverse topics, including challenges faced by children walking long distances to school, issues with water pressure in agricultural areas, and the necessity for the Development Fund Bill.
The need to make paternity leave part of the legal framework has received support from some Members of Parliament in the National Assembly, as has the extension of maternity leave.
The motion to extend maternity leave and introduce paternity leave was earlier tabled by the Popular Democratic Movement's (PDM) Winnie Moongo.
Landless People's Movement (LPM) Leader Bernadus Swartbooi and PDM's Maximalliant Katjimune also made their contributions to the discussion.
Swanu Leader Dr. Tangeni Iijambo has introduced a motion for debate on the Policy of National Reconciliation in the National Assembly.
Dr. Iijambo is of the opinion that the difficulties the country is facing in terms of socio-economic development, stability, and injustice are due to the trauma of apartheid and war that the country and its people endured.
"In Namibia, building a social order is often the well-touted peace and stability mantra of the ruling party, which is employed as a means to avoid confronting difficulties issued by our common and violent past."
The National Assembly Speaker, Professor Peter Katjavivi, has emphasised that accurate information obtained through the ongoing census exercise will be vital for lawmakers when passing legislation.
Professor Katjavivi pointed out that the data collected will enable parliamentarians to pass laws that reflect the needs and aspirations of the Namibian people.
The Speaker was counted by census workers who came to his home.
A quick Google search of the Namibian population shows varying figures.
Tensions ran high in the National Assembly on Wednesday as the Deputy Minister of Education, Faustina Caley, raised objections to the tabling of a private member's bill proposing to regulate the provision of free sanitary materials to schoolgirls.
The bill was proposed by PDM Leader McHenry Venaani.
A commotion began after Caley's objection was raised, as several parliament members echoed their dissent throughout the chamber.
With Parliament scheduled to reconsider the Marriages Bill this week, some members of the public and concerned groups gathered at the parliament building to witness the discussion of the Definition of Spouse Private Members’ Bill.
The private bill was presented by Swapo MP Jerry Ekandjo in the National Assembly during the 7th session.
Stop Homosexuality and Same-Sex Marriage, Chairperson' Pendapala Nakathingo, emphasised the "national interest and the profound impact" of the bill on the current and future generations.
