The National Assembly has announced a recess period from April 30th to June 4th, 2024, marking a break in the 9th Session of the Seventh Parliament.

The lower house will be on recess from tomorrow until the 4th of June. 

During this session, the National Assembly addressed a wide spectrum of issues, demonstrating its commitment to legislative duties and public service. 

Two bills were tabled, 12 motions were considered, and 15 annual and ministerial reports were reviewed.

The Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr. Kalumbi Shangula, has responded to concerns raised by Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) MP Winnie Moongo about the shortage of cardiotocography papers at Windhoek Central Hospital.

Dr. Shangula acknowledged that, despite the shortage, clinicians at Windhoek Central Hospital have been able to deliver appropriate care using their clinical judgement. 

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.