McHenry Venaani, leader of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), is urging Namibia's youth to elect leaders who understand their struggles and who are committed to their empowerment.

He emphasised the urgent need to address youth unemployment, calling it a national emergency.
 
Addressing a well-attended rally at Okalongo Settlement in Omusati Region on Sunday, he stressed that this year's elections are for the youth.

The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) has requested the withdrawal of two parliamentarians affiliated with the United People's Movement (UPM) from the National Assembly.

Manuel Ngaringombe, PDM's Secretary General, pointed out a breach of the PDM-UPM Alliance Agreement, triggered by UPM's recent alliance with the National Empowerment Fighting Corruption (NEFC).

Addressed to Professor Peter Katjavivi, the communication outlines the violation, emphasising UPM's public support for Ally Angula in the 2024 Presidential Elections, contradicting the terms of the alliance.

The Ministry of Education has been called upon to benchmark its education curriculum against that of the private school system.

Some MPs in the National Assembly hold the view that private schools consistently outperform government schools.

Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) MP Hidipo Hamata tabled a motion in the National Assembly that seeks urgent and immediate action to be taken to rectify the disparity in performance.

Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) MP Maximalliant Katjimune has called for an investigation into the challenges faced by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Namibia, emphasising the critical role the sector plays in the nation's economy.

Katjimune said the SME sector accounts for 90% of enterprises worldwide, employing 50% of the global workforce and contributing 40% to the gross domestic product (GDP) in emerging markets. 

Katjimune expressed concern over the low success rate of Namibian SMEs, estimating that around 70% fail shortly after commencement. 

Four political parties in Zambezi Region have commended the late President Hage Geingob as a leader of note who committed himself to Namibia's prosperity.

Political parties remarked on this at a regional memorial service organised by the regional council.

The National Democratic Party (NDP) representative, Success Musialike, noted that Dr. Geingob set a bar high for all Namibians in upholding high etiquette, values, and morals.

The absence of a substantive Chief Executive Officer at Bukalo Village Council over the past years has resulted in alleged maladministration and poor service delivery.

The council's challenges were highlighted by the Chairperson of the Bukalo Village Council's Management Committee, Simataa Mubonda, during a swearing-in ceremony where he was re-elected.

Mubonda says the council continues to operate with a shoe-string budget, resulting in a shortfall in services such as sewer reticulation and town planning.

National Assembly MPs have set aside their political differences to support the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) Diederik Vries' motion that calls for urgent measures to address the food security situation in the country.

The motion has been forwarded to the relevant parliamentary standing committee for further review.

Herlinde Tjiveze of the Republican Party (RP) pointed out global food insecurity as climate change effects become a reality.

She advocated for sustainable solutions.

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.

Debate on the High Court Amendment Bill continued in the National Assembly, with various MPs in support of the bill.

The bill seeks to give equal rights to litigants' in-house or immovable property repossession cases.

Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) MP Vipuakuje Muharukua, one of those who supported the bill, however, warned people to be cautious of who they choose to represent them and not be taken advantage of.

Long-distance marriages have the potential to negatively affect families due to separation.

Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) MP Jan van Wyk, agreeing with the mover of the motion, Hidipo Hamata, says families play a role as the building blocks of society and separation is not an ideal situation.

Addressing the National Assembly, Van Wyk stressed that long-distance marriages must be addressed, as this can have a negative impact on the overall well-being of the household if left unattended.