Before I continue with my statement, I kindly request you all to rise and to observe a minute of silence in remembrance of Dr Abraham Iyambo, our late Minister of Education and Member of this House, who passed on last week. [I thank you. Please be seated.]
Honourable Speaker,
Honourable Chairperson,
It is, indeed, a great pleasure and honour for me to be in the Chamber of the National Assembly to officially open the Seventh Session of the Fifth Parliament. Our Parliament is the citadel of Namibian democracy.Its contribution to the process of democratization has, in a profound manner, shaped the political aspirations of the Namibian people.
They have become the force that drives our existence as a nation. It is, therefore, our collective duty to continue consolidating the democratic organs and institutions in our country, and to make them more accessible and meaningful to our people.In this light, the deepening of our Parliamentary multi-party democracy to date, speaks volumes about not only the political will, but also about the moral conviction and determination of the Namibian people to live in a society that is characterized by the principles of order, peace and justice.We should be proud that the consolidation of democracy in post-colonial Namibia has been a success. In the relatively short period of 22 years, we have managed to put in place a system of governance that has proven to be stable, workable and sustainable.Parliamentary debates have not only continued unimpeded over the past 22 years, but have also assumed a pleasing degree of maturity. (more...)