Staff Reporter
PRESIDENT Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah reminded parliamentarians that the public submitted proposed amendments to legislation last year and urged them to consider these amendments urgently.
“Last year, the government called on the public to propose amendments to any of our laws in order to address the needs of our people holistically. Some of the critical proposed amendments from the public include those that will ensure meaningful national benefit from our resources. It is therefore, important that when those amendments are brought to parliament, they should be considered with urgency,” the president said.
She made these remarks during the Official Opening of Parliament, where she also urged lawmakers to focus on expanding production, increasing local economic participation, and ensuring that the people are not merely spectators, but active contributors to the nation’s development.
“The wealth generated in this country should benefit many of our people, not just a few. As Parliament continues to pass legislation, it must ensure that Namibia’s natural resources are used responsibly and sustainably. Adding value to our products should be one of our core principles to stimulate and grow our economy. It should be our future strategic goal to gradually stop extracting our resources without local beneficiation,” President Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
She also pointed out the significant social and economic challenges the country has faced over the past years, including high unemployment, inequality, and poverty. These issues, she stressed, place a strain on the social fabric of the nation. She called for collective action and shared responsibility among all branches of government to bring about positive change in people’s lives.
“These domestic challenges are further increased by global economic uncertainty, climate-related pressures, and geopolitical instability. In this context, Parliament’s role in creating responsive, inclusive, and protective legislation becomes even more vital. The resilience of our people must be complemented by the foresight of our laws,” the president added.
She noted that Namibia is operating in an increasingly unpredictable global environment, marked by geopolitical tensions, shifting alliances, and, in some cases, a disregard for international legal norms.
“Powerful nations are increasingly asserting their interests in ways that challenge multilateralism and the rules-based international order. For a small but principled nation like Namibia, whose foreign policy is firmly anchored in multilateralism, respect for international law, and peaceful coexistence, this reality requires foresight and prudence. The laws crafted in this House must, therefore, be strong, principled, and forward-thinking. They must protect our sovereignty, enhance democratic governance, and help Namibia navigate the unstable global landscape, while remaining a trustworthy and responsible member of the international community,” the president added.
Photo: Parliament of the Republic of Namibia
