National Assembly MPs have set aside their political differences to support the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) Diederik Vries' motion that calls for urgent measures to address the food security situation in the country.
The motion has been forwarded to the relevant parliamentary standing committee for further review.
Herlinde Tjiveze of the Republican Party (RP) pointed out global food insecurity as climate change effects become a reality.
She advocated for sustainable solutions.
"We all know that food security is an international crisis that is worsened by climate change; this motion needs urgent attention. As a known proverb says, "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime," and this must be what we intend to achieve with food security as we debate this specific motion."
The Deputy Minister of Marginalised Communities, Royal |Ui|o|oo, underscored the critical need for access to nutritious food and called for collective efforts to ensure food security.
"As leaders at all levels, we need to listen to one another. How can we move forward as a country if we are always complaining and pointing out problems rather than seeking solutions?"
The Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, Carl Schlettwein, stressed the motion's importance, highlighting the interdependence of water and food security.
"You cannot discuss food security in isolation from water security. These two go hand in hand because, without water, you cannot produce food. We have to be very aware that climate change has a direct impact on food security and food production, especially in dry countries."
The mover of the motion, PDM's Diederik Vries, expressed hope that consultations by the relevant Parliamentary Standing Committee would reveal the root causes of and solutions to Namibia's food insecurity.
"Establishing food security is important for the many people facing hunger in Namibia. The situation of hunger and starvation in Namibia has reached critical levels and should therefore not be overlooked. The situation of food insecurity that Namibia currently experiences is an indication of our government's misdirected priorities. It is my greatest desire to see practical efforts being made towards ensuring that the situation of food insecurity in Namibia is addressed."