Hardap Region Governor Riaan McNab has called for open and honest discussions on inequality and living conditions in the Hardap Region.
He said this during a meeting with the Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs and Petitions today in Mareintal.
McNab says issues of inequality continue to affect the daily lives of residents and require serious engagement from leaders and lawmakers.
"We have to be very frank and honest with each other. We have to talk because these are the issues affecting the daily lives of the people, and really you are our transmitting belt and our change-makers in our constitutional laws."
The governor says the committee plays an important role in shaping constitutional and legal reforms that can improve the living conditions of communities across the country's 14 regions.
McNab has also addressed the long-standing absence of NBC services in the region, saying Hardap has operated without NBC facilities for many years.
However, he noted that progress is being made.
"We did not have NBC; we're still without NBC, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel."
McNab says NBC is expected to occupy space in the MICT building once the remaining touch-ups and inauguration processes are completed.
NBC Acting Chief of News and Programming, Sackie Shikufa, noted that for the past 35 years, the corporation's footprint was limited to Khomas, //Karas, Erongo, Otjozondjupa, Oshana, Kavango East, and Zambezi.
He said Omaheke and Kavango West were later added, while five regions remained without dedicated teams.
The NBC has set a firm deadline for the remaining deployments in Ohangwena, Oshikoto, Omusati, Hardap, and Kunene by the end of May.
"So for the Mariental community, the team will be in Mariental, and I'm hoping that the community and the leadership will be able to make use of the services so that we can tell stories from Mariental and all other regions that we have deployed the team."
The Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs and Petitions is currently engaging regional stakeholders on constitutional, legal and governance matters.