By Hilda Basson-Namundjebo
As we watch with bated breath the deliberations on the Petroleum Amendment Act, and expect the discussions on the about to be tabled Appropriation Bill, Namibians remain hopeful that Parliament will rise to the occasion in service of the Namibian people.
I make time to watch Parliament as often as I can, and specifically because of the type of business I am in, I need to remain in touch with laws promulgated.
The executive accounts to Parliament, but often the opposition seems consumed with posing even more questions instead of according the executive the opportunity to account.
If you were watching a football match, where statistics like ball possession matter, the opposition would claim the lion’s share in terms of engagement – unless it is during formal ministerial addresses.
Parliament is often described as the august house, the place where the nation’s laws are made and accountability is strengthened.
Yet, for many Namibians, it has become a stage of theatrics: grandstanding speeches and political point-scoring that provide endless entertainment and social media fodder but very little substance.
The irony is striking: the very institution designed to hold the executive accountable often derails its own accountability through distraction.
The Constitution is clear. Parliament exists to legislate, to scrutinise government, and to represent citizens. It is not a theatre troupe, nor a debating society for its own sake. It is the legislative heart of our democracy.
But when the drama overshadows delivery, one must ask whether our representatives truly grasp the gravity of their roles beyond the politics of performance.
Last year was a sobering reminder. Only one piece of legislation was passed – the Appropriation Bill, alongside the medium-term budget. For an institution entrusted with shaping the nation’s laws, this is a dismal record.
If Parliament were a school, parents would demand better results. If it were a business, shareholders would demand answers. Why then should citizens not demand measurable accountability from Parliament?
Should Parliament Have KPIs?
In the world of business and management, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are non-negotiable. They are the compass by which organisations measure progress, efficiency, and impact. KPIs are not mere statistics; they are commitments translated into measurable outcomes. They tell us whether promises made are promises kept.
Imagine if Parliament, beyond the ceremonial and political drama, had a transparent set of KPIs against which its performance could be measured.
Citizens would no longer rely on headlines or hearsay; they would have a framework to judge whether Parliament is serving democracy or merely staging drama.
CPA Findings on Legislative and Oversight Functions
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s Benchmarks for Democratic Legislatures: Namibia Final Report (2024) was candid about the National Assembly’s legislative function. It stated: “The National Assembly’s legislative output remains narrow, with budgetary bills dominating proceedings and limited evidence of broader policy innovation.” In fact, the report highlighted that in 2023 only the Appropriation Bill and the medium-term budget were enacted, a level of productivity far below expectations for a legislature of ninety-six elected members.
On oversight, the CPA was equally forthright: “Oversight mechanisms exist but are inconsistently applied, with committee work constrained by resources and plenary debates often diverted from substantive accountability.” Committees are under-resourced, their reports delayed, and follow-up on recommendations weak. Plenary debates, which should strengthen accountability, are too often derailed by political theatrics and point-scoring.
These findings underscore the urgent need to enhance both legislative productivity and oversight effectiveness. KPIs could provide a disciplined framework to track progress, strengthen committee systems, and restore public trust.
Possible KPIs for Parliament
Output KPIs
- Legislative Productivity: Number of bills debated and passed annually, beyond the budget.
- Oversight Effectiveness: Frequency and quality of committee reports scrutinising government performance.
- Timeliness: Speed with which urgent national issues are addressed through legislation or debate.
- Citizen Engagement: Level of public consultation in drafting laws, measured by hearings, submissions, and outreach.
- Impact Assessment: Evaluation of whether passed laws achieve their intended social or economic outcomes.
Conduct KPIs
- Attendance & Participation: Tracking MPs’ presence and contribution in sessions and committees.
- Adherence to Codes of Conduct: Measuring discipline, decorum, and relevance of debate.
- Quality of Debate: Assessing whether discussions remain focused on accountability rather than theatrics.
Citizens as shareholders of democracy
In the corporate world, shareholders demand results. They expect boards to report transparently, executives to deliver on promises, and strategies to translate into measurable outcomes. Why should democracy be any different? Citizens are the shareholders of the nation. Our investment is not money but trust, our dividends not profits but justice, prosperity, and progress.
If Parliament were a company, its annual report would be dismal. If it were a school, parents would demand better grades. If it were a hospital, patients would demand improved recovery rates. Yet as citizens, we too often accept theatrics in place of delivery. KPIs would give us the tools to demand better; to measure whether Parliament is fulfilling its constitutional mandate or merely staging drama.
A demand for performance
Democracy is not sustained by speeches alone. It is sustained by outcomes; laws that improve lives, oversight that strengthens governance, and representation that reflects the will of the people. KPIs are not just a corporate tool; they place a demand on performance. Citizens, as shareholders of democracy, must demand both conduct and output. Only then will the august house become what it was meant to be: the legislative heart of our nation.
