The National Council is set to kick off with its 10th session on Monday, November 20, 2023.

The upper house will consider bills referred by the National Assembly, reports of standing committees, and any other business.

The Executive Director of the National Council, Tousy Namiseb, provided insights into the upcoming session on Inside the Chambers.

Being on recess does not necessarily mean a holiday for the MPs, as they are tasked with oversight activities away from the chambers.

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.

Member of Parliament Mathias Mbundu has tabled a motion calling for the urgent feasibility and establishment of specialised schools for the Kavango East and West regions.

Mbundu urged the assembly to unite in addressing the dire situation faced by the disabled community in the Kavango East and West regions.

He stressed that the commitment to dignity should extend to all Namibians, ensuring they can benefit from their constitutional rights without feeling excluded or forgotten.

The Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Sylvia Makgone, explained why Swapo Party MPs objected to McHenry Venaani's Private Members Bill to amend the Marine Resources Amendment Act of 2000.

The bill sought to further amend the Act from giving sole discretionary powers to the Minister to allocate quotas to the National Fishing Corporation.

The proposed amendment divided the House, with PDM parliamentarians waving placards in the house in favour of the motion.

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 has rejected a third Private Members Bill in two weeks by Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani.

Lately, the official opposition leader has been tabling bills on various issues of national concern.

Yesterday's motion aims to recognise, promote, and protect the rights and interests of marginalised communities.

The Rights and Interests of Marginalised Communities' Private Member Bill is the third to be rejected by the majority MPs in the current session.

The Minister of Education, Arts, and Culture, Anna Nghipondoka, has presented the provisions, systems, and processes designed to provide sanitary materials to underprivileged schoolgirls across schools in Namibia.

Nghipondoka pointed out that the Basic Education Act of 2020 contains explicit provisions for giving sanitary materials to girls in schools.

The Minister of Urban and Rural Development (MURD), Erastus Uutoni, has responded to concerns regarding the delay in the presentation of the Rent Control Bill.

Uutoni was responding to Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) MP Maximalliant Katjimune, who sought answers as to why this piece of legislation had not yet been tabled in Parliament.

Uutoni stated that the ministry is diligently scrutinising the draft bill and assured the house that there was no reason for further delays.

The Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo, has addressed questions posed by LPM MP Henny Seibeb regarding allegations of lead exposure cover-up by Trevali Mining Corporation in the ||Kharas Region.

Seibeb noted that a medical report exists that reveals the findings of lead concentration tests conducted on 30 children. According to the report, all 30 children exhibited high levels of lead in their blood. These tests were performed by a medical doctor who was previously employed by the mining company.

In a tumultuous turn of events, the National Assembly session scheduled for Thursday failed to proceed as anticipated, as it was marred by exchanges and heated debates right from the beginning.

The session quickly spiralled into chaos as Members of Parliament raised concerns about the dwindling attendance among their colleagues, demanded accountability, and proposed significant changes to the system.