. . . as eighth parliament opens third session
On this hot summer’s Tuesday in February, the parly gates look more like pearly gates as the Namibian public is treated to a ‘heavenly’ parade.
It is way beyond the spectacle seen at the opening of parliament in recent years.
Its centrepiece is president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah who, clad in a sky blue dress almost reminiscent of her presidential inauguration, has outdressed the lawmakers.
On this auspicious day, all and sundry take their respective seats in the chamber after exchanging pleasantries outside, where one member of the public curiously asks why the road to the famous Christuskirche is closed off.
“It’s the opening of parliament,” a reporter replies after a uniformed guard tells motorists to take a detour.
While most of the male honourables have buttoned themselves up in navy blue Mao Zedong-inspired suits behind the benches, one of the MPs seems to have missed the memo, standing out in the crowd in a pink suit.
This is the one day on which Namibian lawmakers exchange pleasantries and firm handshakes before turning to their usual “honourable member, sit down, you do not have the floor to speak!”.
A heap of bills is awaiting them like unfinished laundry from 2025. As one member of the public quips: “We don’t want them to come and fight. We want them to show us how to get jobs.”
One of the pending items is the land bill, with Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda saying bills should be first in line this year.
Earlier in the day, meme Netumbo was clapping to the beat of Zambezi drums, wrapped in her signature headscarf and gown – her entourage following closely behind.
On the upper balcony of the chamber, Swapo’s Tobie Aupindi and the Popular Democratic Movement’s McHenry Venaani were laughing, with AR’s George KambalaW standing next to them – not smiling.
Below in the chamber were members of the press, all with their cameras pointed towards the guard of honour.
Tuesday marked the first day of the third session of the eighth parliament for the year when the head of state addressed the “august house”.
If you didn’t have the patience to keep paying attention throughout the president’s 15-page speech, it focused on enhancing the role of parliament for inclusive development and participatory democracy.
“It signifies a renewed sense of responsibility, reflection and resolve as we carry on the work entrusted to us by our people,” the lady in blue said.
Political commentator Joseph Diescho, one of the invited guests, was spotted walking through the parly gates, telling a reporter in passing that he foresees “trouble for journalists this year”.
This comes after an incident at State House early this week left a stain on the country’s press freedom fabric that will be hard to scrub off – even with the strongest condemnation possible.
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