Parties reveal Parliament agenda

Nine of the ten political parties, who will take up their seats as part of the country’s new Parliament later this year, have revealed the issues they will focus on, including unemployment, poverty, housing, land, a basic income grant and increasing the old age pension. The current National Assembly’s term of office comes to an end before March 20, when the new 109 parliamentarians will be sworn in. This will be followed by the swearing in of Prime Minister Hage Geingob as President and by the appointment of a new Cabinet. The new National Assembly will be the sixth one since independence. It will later be joined by a new National Council, after the upcoming regional and local government elections slated for this year. According to the Secretary to the National Assembly, Jakes Jacobs, the current 72-member House will resume for its final session on February 10 to finish some pending business. “There are still some issues with the National Council, like the consideration of the Child Care and Protection Bill, which has to be finalised,” Jacobs said. “But we will know what exactly will be discussed and for how long we will sit once we resume with business.” Jacobs confirmed that the new National Assembly, the election of the speaker and deputy speaker are expected to happen before Geingob appoints his Cabinet. Manifesto Swapo Secretary-General (SG) Nangolo Mbumba said his party will focus on issues contained in the party’s election manifesto, which includes addressing unemployment, poverty, housing, education and training. “The party can only talk about the issues in general, but not in terms of the law, for the laws must come from the ministries via the Office of the Attorney-General to the speaker,” Mbumba explained. According to Mbumba the ruling party will take a holistic approach to the land question, which will also see focus on the administration of land controlled by municipalities, towns and village councils. “We need to come up with a national policy that will help us to be able to manage out towns and their development properly.” DTA SG Vincent Kanyetu indicated that his party’s parliamentarians will “speak about the issues contained in our policies”. “Education, housing, unemployment, health and land distribution... these are the five key priority areas from which the MPs are going to draw their motions from,” Kanyetu said. He said these were the bread and butter issues that were of concern to ordinary Namibians. Rally for Democracy and Progress Vice-President Steve Bezuidenhout told Namibian Sun that housing, social safety nets, education and health will be among the top priorities his party wants to raise on behalf of its voters and Namibians in general. “We also want to raise the issue of the remuneration for our teachers, nurses and police officers. Even when you consider the December holidays, our police officers were working constantly, but when you go visit them you notice that they live in kambashus (shacks),” said Bezuidenhout. ARV treatment According to National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo) leader Asser Mbai, his party will focus on the construction of more classrooms, as well as the rolling out of ARV treatment to those living with HIV/Aids. Mbai said their two MPs will propose another land conference to discuss land prices, resettlement and equitable distribution. In memory of its late leader Chief Kuaima Riruako and his fight for justice for colonial genocide victims, Nudo, will continue with the party’s quest for reparations from Germany. Nudo will also be raising issues around the equitable distribution of wealth and pushing for the development of all Namibians The United Democratic Front (UDF) said it will be pushing of the decentralisation of government. It will also raise issues around the current state of the country’s education system. UDF Vice-President Dudu Murorua also threw rural economic development, agricultural development and the provision of potable water into the party’s agenda bucket. All People’s Party (APP) leader Ignatius Shixwameni emphasised wealth distribution, unemployment and underemployment as some of the issues his party would raise. “Our focus is not going to change,” said Shixwameni. He said the party would be fighting hard to secure free education up to degree or diploma level for young Namibians. Rural development It will also be presenting motions in terms of housing and land. “On top of our priorities comes the focus on rural development. We want to see more development in the rural areas. We want to make sure that people are lifted out of poverty.” United People’s Movement (UPM) National Co-ordinator Jan van Wyk said his party will be raising the issue of the availability and provision of affordable land, and seeking ways to facilitate this. The recognition of the rights of minority groups, education, health, a basic income grant and an increase in social grants, was also on his party’s parliamentary agenda. “We would like to see an increase in the grants for pensioners. We would also like to look at providing food for our country through agriculture. These are some of the key areas,” said Van Wyk. Swanu Deputy SG Unaani Kauami said the country’s oldest political formation will continue with its fight to return the land to Namibia’s indigenous peoples. “Our people are very poor. We fought against this, as it is a violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” Kauami told Namibian Sun. He said issues such as human rights, democracy and governance, as well as unemployment, would be prioritised by his party this year. Republican Party (RP) SG Tony Nkosi said his party will be dealing with affordable housing and the regulation of municipal rates, which should be used to subsidise the vulnerable in Namibian society. According to Nkosi, the RP will push for a relook at the amounts being paid in terms of social grants. It also wants more sustainable community-based projects to be created, while the education system also needed an overhaul. WINDHOEK ELVIS MURARANGANDA