Landless People's Movement (LPM) leader Bernadus Swartbooi has called on opposition parties in parliament to work in unity for the betterment of all Namibians.
Swartbooi made the remarks during the 4th National Convention of the party held in Windhoek.
He hopes the opposition parties can forcefully articulate the interests of Namibians for the next five years.
"And it is our hope and our hope that opposition political parties remain united, those that are the 41 and those four can repent, I hope, so that we can forcefully articulate the interest of our people for the next five years. If we do not, society will end up suffering."
The leader also raised concerns about the recently tabled budget by the Minister of Finance, Ericah Shafudah.
Swartbooi said the ministries that continue to get the highest amount, such as the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture and the Ministry of Defence and Veterans' Affairs, lack accountability for how these resources are used.
"So this year, the education budget has gone up from about N$17- 18 billion to N$24- 25 billion. Nobody is talking to us about what exactly will be done differently or what exactly will change. You will also know that the health budget and the defence budget will be the top three budgets. You would also know that water, agriculture, and land reform would be something around N$2.5 billion."
He further expressed concern over the low budget for development, which is supposed to create employment and invest in agricultural products for food security.
"That if you have a budget, at least between 25% and 35% of that budget must compulsorily go to the development budget if you are to create jobs, if you want to secure society's present and future. And therefore, if we take that narrative, the development budget should, at least in this country, be a minimum of N$25 billion to N$35 billion out of a N$109 billion budget. Look at allowances for young people; nothing when you look at the potential of this country and the people of this country to move from where they are today: hunger, male malnutrition. By the end of this year, where will they be? Nowhere except far worse than where we are."
The conversation at the convention will deliberate on a number of issues, which include the party's finances, filling of elective positions, discussing election results, interrogating policies and planning for the upcoming Regional Council and Local Authority Elections in November.