Speaker of the National Assembly Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila in the National Assembly, Windhoek, 28 April 2025
Motivation of the budgetary allocation of the National Council (Vote 11) for the 2025/26 financial year
I am pleased to motivate the budgetary allocation for the National Council for the 2025/2026 financial year. This budget is aimed at supporting the implementation of the objectives of the Namibian government as stated by president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah during her maiden state of the nation address.
The National Council, in accordance with the Constitution of Namibia (Articles 41, 69 and 74), will continue to review laws referred to it by the National Assembly, exercise oversight of the work of the executive, and represent all Namibians, especially at the regional level.
The council is committed to being a modern house of legislative review that represents the interest of the people of Namibia.
In the 2024/2025 financial year, the National Council received N$136 662 000 for its operational and other activities. The achievements and proposed activities for the current financial year are outlined below.
Implementation of the National Council budget
Administration
The allocation will facilitate administration and operations of the Council. It will enable the Council to fill all vacancies to render effective services and support to members.
In response to a directive from the Ministry of Finance and Social Grants Management to relieve youth unemployment, the council will recruit a number of interns and graduate interns. Though unplanned, this is considered a nationally important expense.
Public participation
To promote participatory and inclusive governance, the council held a conference with all 14 regional councils from 27 to 31 August 2024 in Tsumeb, Oshikoto region. The aim was to reflect on shared mandates and strengthen cooperation.
The council conducts outreach initiatives, including the Junior National Council’s session, where youth from across Namibia participate in a mock parliamentary session.
It also promotes women’s participation in governance through the Rural Women’s Parliament, to be held this financial year, drawing participants from predominantly rural regions.
The council continues to popularise the work and importance of parliament within Namibia’s governance architecture through a broad media strategy using all available platforms, including social media. The public actively engages with the Council via these channels.
To support this, the council will upgrade its internet bandwidth and improve its information communications technologies.
Legislative review
The sixth National Council, in terms of Article 75(2) of the Namibian Constitution, received and considered 15 bills from the National Assembly.
Thirteen were passed without amendment. The electoral amendment bill (B.15-2024) and the marriage bill (B5-2024) were passed with amendments, though these were not accepted by the National Assembly.
In March 2025, the council held a special session to consider and pass the NSFAF bill, among others. Such sessions are not usually budgeted for and can strain resources.
Oversight
The council undertakes oversight of government projects and programmes through its standing committees, which align with the mandates of respective offices, ministries and agencies.
The standing committee on agriculture, environment and natural resources will monitor developments in the emerging oil and gas sector to ensure Namibians benefit from national resources. The council will scrutinise and support legislative initiatives for this sector’s growth.
The council welcomes Namibia’s commitment to achieving universal free education up to tertiary level. The standing committee on education, ICT and youth development will monitor implementation and ensure this goal is met, drawing on lessons from countries such as Finland.
The standing committee on public accounts and economy, together with the Office of the Auditor General, the Ministry of Finance and Social Grants Management and others, will continue engaging regional councils and local authorities on financial management and administration.
We welcome the continued referral of the auditor general’s reports to the standing committee on public accounts and economy, where institutional capacity has been built.
National Council (Vote 11) budget
The council welcomes the allocation of N$140 274 000 for the 2025/26 financial year, which includes an additional N$12 650 000. This additional amount will cover:
- induction of new council members following regional and local authority elections (N$2 million)
- acquisition of new vehicles (N$6 million)
- enhancement of safety and security (N$1.3 million)
- internet bandwidth upgrade (N$750 000)
- separation benefits for contract employees (N$2.6 million)
The first phase of the capital project – installation of a new digital system in the chamber – has been completed. This marks a milestone in achieving the parliament’s e-parliament strategy. The second phase involves upgrading all conference rooms.
However, only N$1 million of the initially allocated N$4 million is proposed for the current financial year. It is hoped that sufficient funds will be made available to complete the chamber upgrade.
Enhancing parliamentary diplomacy
As a member of inter-parliamentary organisations, the council enhances Namibia’s parliamentary diplomacy through these platforms. Resolutions from these fora are shared with standing committees and structures for implementation.
The council will continue participating in the activities of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Pan-African Parliament, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the SADC Parliamentary Forum.
Participation in these activities requires financial resources.
In conclusion, I present to the house for approval an amount of N$140 274 000 for the National Council (Vote 11) for the 2025/26 financial year.
I thank you.
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