President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has expressed concern about the pace and effectiveness of Parliament’s work, noting that only two of the nine bills considered over the past year were passed, despite rising public expectations.
Speaking at the official opening of the Third Session of the Eighth Parliament on Tuesday, Nandi-Ndaitwah said several key bills were tabled and debated, yet only two budget-related bills were ultimately enacted.
She described the outcome as disappointing given the urgency of Namibia’s socio-economic challenges, adding that weak legislative output undermines service delivery and erodes public confidence in elected institutions.
Over the past year, Parliament considered legislation including the Appropriation Bill, the Land Bill, the Mental Health Bill, the Regional Councils Amendment Bill and the Public Enterprises Governance Amendment Bill, among others.
“Of all these nine bills, only two budget-related bills went through, which is very disappointing, because the people of Namibia deserve better services from their elected representatives,” the President said.
She said she expects the situation to improve in the second year of the Eighth Parliament, noting that citizens look to Parliament to fulfil its constitutional responsibility of lawmaking.
While acknowledging that robust debate is a cornerstone of democracy, Nandi-Ndaitwah warned that it should not become an obstacle to progress. She said most Namibians want Parliament to pass laws that address real needs rather than engage in partisan point-scoring.
“Some parliamentarians may be attempting to score political points, but the majority of our people want to see Parliament performing its fundamental duty of making laws that address the actual needs of citizens,” she said.
The President urged lawmakers to conduct themselves with dignity and to restore confidence in the institution through constructive engagement and timely outcomes, noting that the quality of parliamentary work has a direct impact on the quality of life of Namibians.
“Let this Parliament be remembered for constructive engagement, principled leadership and tangible outcomes that improve the lives of our people,” she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah also called for closer cooperation among the three arms of government, saying sustainable development requires effective coordination between the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary.
Looking ahead, she said she expects improved parliamentary performance in 2026, driven by urgency, accountability and leadership.
“Our people expect debates that lead to solutions, laws that improve lives and oversight that strengthens governance, and I look forward to productive parliamentary results in 2026,” the President said.
