National Council VP rallies leaders to unite ahead of elections

National Council vice-chairperson Victoria Kauma has urged councillors to put unity above politics as Namibia enters a heated election season, warning that divisions after primaries threaten national progress.Closing the Second National Council and Regional Councils Consultative Conference in Katima Mulilo last week, Kauma reminded delegates that leadership must be people-centred, not party-centred.“Even if you lose, that is not the end,” she said. “Let us unite for the sake of our country and our communities," before adding a quote by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah: "We are too few to be poor.”She warned that when leaders divide after internal contests, development suffers: “When we divide, thinking that if you lose and then you think that that is the end, it will never materialise. Unity is not just a slogan – we must practise it.”Kauma echoed Nandi-Ndaitwah’s call for inclusivity, urging councillors to make unity an honest commitment rather than a campaign phrase. She also praised the Zambezi region for hosting the event, describing its hospitality and organisation as a “reflection of the collaboration this conference seeks to achieve.”Despite the distractions of campaign season, she commended councillors for their attendance, saying their presence was “proof of dedication to democratic service and responsive governance.”Muha calls for urgent law reformEarlier in the week, National Council chairperson Lukas Sinimbo Muha set the tone by demanding an urgent review of Namibia’s regional governance laws and accelerated decentralisation, warning that service delivery will remain sluggish if power continues to be concentrated at the centre.Muha said the Regional Councils Act has become outdated and riddled with contradictions, pointing to inconsistencies with the Constitution.“It is possibly time for us to have a completely new Regional Councils Act,” he said. “Namibia has been too slow in moving from delegated authority to true devolution. Our people must see the fruits of development at constituency level.”He also reiterated support for the establishment of a Constituency Development Fund (CDF), arguing that such a mechanism would ensure resources reach communities directly instead of being tied up by bureaucracy.People wait for servicesThe three-day gathering, held under the theme 'Towards a Responsive Governance ', heard repeated concerns that Namibia’s decentralisation process has slowed to the point of undermining regional development.Former National Council chairperson Bernard Sibalatani cautioned that the country risks failing its people if devolution is not implemented in full. “We cannot continue to cling to powers at the top. Documents on decentralisation are gathering dust while our people wait for services,” he said.AccountabilityThe issue of oversight also dominated discussions. Councillors complained that MPs sometimes conduct oversight visits without involving local representatives, leaving gaps in accountability.“There is no National Council without the regional councils,” one speaker said. “The relationship must be symbiotic if we are to deliver.”Muha acknowledged frustrations over the late circulation of bills to the regions, which leaves councillors with little time for debate before laws are passed. He pledged to improve the timeliness of consultations going forward.phillipus@nmh-hub.com.na

National Council VP rallies leaders to unite ahead of elections

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-22

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National Council VP rallies leaders to unite ahead of elections

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-22

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