During the opening ceremony for the third session of the 8th parliament, Speaker of the National Assembly, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, urged MPs to work in solidarity irrespective of their political differences.

Dr. Kuugongelwa-Amadhila stated that the ceremonial event serves as a reaffirmation of the National Assembly's commitment to the principles of democracy, accountability and service to the people.

She says Parliament is not merely a legislative body but a living institution that must continuously evolve to meet the aspirations of Namibian citizens.

The Speaker pointed out that democracy is not sustained merely through the mechanics of checks and balances but thrives through the principle of complementarity.

"This complementarity is embedded in the very design of governance. The executive initiates policy through the drafting of bills; the legislature deliberates and enacts those laws, and the judiciary ensures their interpretation and enforcement. Each branch fulfils a unique mandate. Yet together they form a coherent system that safeguards justice, accountability and the rule of law."

The speaker stated that the separation of powers was not intended to fragment authority but to optimise democracy by ensuring that each organ reinforces the other.

She says the Namibian constitution is not merely a legal document but a moral compass and the embodiment of the nation's shared vision for peace, unity, justice and prosperity.

"The constitution gave us the tools to heal old wounds, to embrace coexistence and to forge a common future. We must recommit ourselves to constitutionalism, not just as a legal framework but as a living covenant with our people."