PLANS are afoot to construct a post-colonial parliament building for Namibia.
The Namibian newspaper of March 16, 2012 covered a report under the heading ‘Tintenpalast no longer good enough’. Quoting a source from Parliament, the report said the aim of the project is to construct a new building to provide adequate and appropriate office space for members of the National Assembly. Perceptions out there are that the Tintenpalast is an exclusive, sleepy, colonial structure, remote and mainly accessible to post-independence urbanised elites, who are there to conduct politics for their own survival.The issue surrounding the new parliament building is likely to be contentious for a number of reasons.I recall with nostalgia my experiences in Parliament. It often puzzled me whether a bicameral parliament could operate in the existing colonial project.With this in mind, it is hoped that the new law-making facility will vastly improve the legislative institutional capacity. I tend to agree that this grand plan cannot be thwarted; it is worthwhile pursuing. However, there are lingering questions associated with this ‘national project’.For instance, will this elevate the quality of debate in both houses of Parliament? It is unclear whether the new building will in any way change the low perception people have of our Parliament, or sharpen the skills of parliamentarians to provide lively intellectual debates on issues of national interest.Will Parliament be able to have adequate capacity to respond to pressing national issues affecting the populace within a democratic development state?The fundamental question is whether Parliament is able to transform itself in a way to appeal strongly to the most vulnerable members of our society? Particularly the youth, faced by massive unemployment and other economic challenges.The nation appears to be longing for a democratic parliament with strong intellectual leadership that makes a real difference in peoples’ lives.Clearly, there are serious problems in the backyard of Parliament. Whatever shape the post-independence parliament building will take; I remain concerned about the delivery element of our bi-cameral parliamentary system.It remains to be seen whether or not a new political era is possible, marked by a lively parliament that is accountable and strongly anchored in its constitutional legitimacy and autonomy.Today, Parliament is not very inspiring partly because it mostly lacks thrilling debates on national issues. It would appear as if emphasis is largely placed on the numbers of bills passed instead of the substance of issues. Parliament needs consensus on matters of national interest, regardless of political party affiliations. But this consensus can only be arrived at after robust and focused debates.Therefore, Parliament has to determine how influential it would be in the democratic state. It has to show that it was not merely created because of a constitutional requirement but may act in facilitating positive change in the lives of all Namibians.As a pragmatist and advocate for ongoing progress aimed at human development, I suggest the transformation process on the legislative front should now begin. Namibia was supposed to herald a parliament that attracts only the best minds of men and women.In some jurisdictions such as Nigeria, the parliament is empowered with a wide range of powers, for example to scrutinise all ambassadorial nominations made by the executive. Such appointments become effective only when nominations are thoroughly scrutinised and approved by parliament (senate chamber). This confirms the real oversight powers entrusted in the hands of an effective legislative house. The honeymoon period of democracy that prevailed in the early years of independence is over and our political process has reached a point where self-reflection is required. It seems the evolving political culture over two decades of democracy has effectively hijacked the sovereignty of our Parliament. The issue of some members holding dual memberships to the executive and legislature appears to undermine parliamentary independence. The dual loyalties of cabinet ministers and their deputies represent a great challenge to achieving an effective and accountable parliament.The decline in the quality of debates is worrying in a country that has so many pressing issues. It will be a futile exercise if the move to a new parliament building is merely to dismantle or distance itself from the legacy of apartheid and colonialism for the sake of it?If Parliament is to fundamentally change circumstances of the people, it requires an open process and inclusive consultations on wide range of issues affecting the populace. Law making and economic advancement of the masses remain relevant and inextricably linked if one places today’s politics in context.Our political class should participate actively in democratic political conversation. Put differently, without sharply and thoroughly analysing the issues at hand, we may end up making cosmetic parliamentary reforms. We therefore need to marshal new ideas so as to fundamentally change the current capitalist class relations with little relevance to the challenges facing the masses on a daily basis.* Fluksman Samuehl is a former Member of Parliament and a scholar in international relations. He has lived in Lüderitz since Independence. The opinions expressed herein are his own.
