Ester Hakaala
The National Assembly resumed its fourth session of the eighth Parliament on Tuesday with members of Parliament raising concerns over hospital catering, delayed youth loans and social welfare grants.
Hospital catering and patients’ meals
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) MP Diederik Vries gave notice of a question to the Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Esperance Luvindao, concerning the quality and quantity of meals served to patients at public hospitals.
He asked what minimum nutritional and portion-size standards applied to hospital meals, how compliance is monitored and what the average cost per patient meal was at each public hospital.
The questions also sought details on action taken against catering contractors who failed to meet contractual standards, including possible penalties or contract termination.
He further asked whether the ministry would conduct a national review of hospital catering services and provide a time-bound plan to address identified shortcomings.
TransNamib locomotive contracts
Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) MP Aloisius Kangulu questioned the Defence and Veteran Affairs Minister Frans Kapofi about a technical collaboration involving WMF and Malaysia’s SMH Rail for the refurbishment of TransNamib locomotives and wagons.
The MP sought clarification on the company’s financial position, the date the technical cooperation agreement was signed, who signed it and how SMH Rail was selected as a technical partner.
Kangulu also asked how many locomotives or wagons had been completed since the arrangement began and when the companies’ audited financial statements would be tabled in Parliament.
Wildlife damage and unpaid cattle sales
The leader of the National Democratic Party of Namibia (NDP), Martin Lukato, raised concerns about livestock losses caused by lions in the Zambezi region.
Lukato asked the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism Indileni Daniel whether she was aware of reports that more than 10 lions had been sighted in the areas and that farmers had lost livestock.
The MP also questioned delays in compensation for farmers whose crops were reportedly destroyed by elephants. He said affected communities had been promised compensation in May 2026 but had not received feedback.
Lukato further asked the minister to investigate reports that farmers who sold cattle to quarantine arrangements had not been paid since June 2026.
Youth Credit Scheme beneficiaries await loans
Affirmative Repositioning (AR) MP Ester Haikola asked about delays in the disbursement of loans to more than 30 young people from the Khomas region who applied under the Namibia Youth Credit Scheme in November 2025.
The beneficiaries reportedly completed business training at the Kai //Ganaxa Youth Skills Training Centre and were informed that their loans would be disbursed in January 2026.
However, they had still not received the money by the time of the parliamentary sitting, despite being asked to sign repayment and accountability documents in February.
She asked the Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture, Sanet Steenkamp, to explain the reasons for the delays, the total amount approved and the ministry’s prescribed period for disbursing loans after training. She also sought a firm disbursement date and information on how many other trained beneficiaries nationally were still waiting for loans.
Absence of Artificial Intelligence legislation
Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) MP John-Louw Mouton questioned the minister responsible for Information and Communication Technology (Emma Theofelus) over Namibia’s progress in developing legislation to regulate artificial intelligence.
The MP referred to an AI readiness report launched by UNESCO and the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology in August 2025, which reportedly identified legislative gaps.
Mouton asked how far the ministry had progressed in implementing the report’s recommendations, why legislation had not yet been brought to Parliament and how the government intended to address potential harm arising from AI in the absence of specific laws.
Special-needs school faces a long waiting list
Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) MP Lilian Lutihezi said Eluwa Special School in the Oshana region has approximately 600 learners on its waiting list, while only 64 places are available for the 2027 academic year. Some children had reportedly waited more than 10 years for admission.
She asked the Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture, Sanet Steenkamp, what immediate plans are in place to expand capacity and accommodate more learners. The MP also asked whether the government planned to build additional special-needs schools or provide hostels and boarding facilities for children living far from existing institutions.
Lüderitz Waterfront allegations
Independence Patriots for Change (IPC) MP Michael Mwashindange raised allegations of financial misconduct at the Lüderitz Waterfront, a State-owned company, and questioned the Minister of Finance Ericah Shafudah about oversight of the company.
The allegations raised included unauthorised expenses, travel and subsistence claims, consultancy appointments and performance bonuses reportedly paid despite the company not making a profit.
He asked what measures had been taken to investigate the alleged irregularities and whether the minister would commission an independent investigation into the chief executive officer’s conduct and the board’s oversight.
Mwashindange also called for the findings to be reported to Parliament and for appropriate corrective, disciplinary or legal action if wrongdoing was established.
Social welfare grant payments
Popular Democratic Movememt MP Inna Hangari questioned the Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare about an auditor general’s finding concerning N$28.8 million reportedly paid in grants to children over the age of 18.
The MP asked what the ministry is doing to address the findings, including possible duplicate payments, and sought an update on a promised national audit of social welfare programmes.
In response, the minister Emma Kantema, explained that the state maintenance grant generally covered children from birth to 18, but that the Child Care and Protection Act allowed eligible children aged 18 to 21 to receive the grant if they met specified conditions, including being in school.
The minister said the ministry had begun removing beneficiaries over 18 who had not provided proof of school attendance.
She also explained that duplication problems were linked to the previous social assistance system and said the ministry had moved to an integrated social assistance system to improve beneficiary registration.
Genocide joint discussion
National Unity Democratic Organisation (NUDO) MP Vetaruhe Kandorozu questioned the Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare about Germany’s planned parliamentary motions on the 1904–1908 genocide and the contested joint declaration, asking how the process could affect the final document if Germany deliberates on it before Namibia reaches a unified position.
The Prime Minister said he was not fully informed about the planned motions but stressed the need for Namibians to unite and agree on a common position on the genocide issue.
National Agriculture Indaba proposed
Landless People’s Movement MP Eneas Emvula proposed that the ministry responsible for agriculture, water and land reform convene a national Agriculture Indaba before the 2026 parliamentary session ends.
He referred to the Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak reported at a commercial farm in September and the resulting restrictions affecting livestock and beef markets.
The proposed indaba would consider broader agricultural challenges, including the participation of communal farmers in supply chains, farmer cooperatives and biosecurity measures. Emvula said the outbreak has exposed weaknesses in the country’s livestock and agricultural systems, with livestock auctions from Keetmanshoop to the Zambezi region partially or fully closed.
Presidential residence
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani has questioned government spending on State House facilities and accommodation for former presidents.
Venaani raised concerns about the cost of maintaining the presidential residence and surrounding lodges, as well as a reported plan to build an office for a former head of state.
Minister in the Presidency Charles Mubita said the State House residence is undergoing renovations, adding that allocation and renovation of residences for former presidents fall under the Ministry of Works and Transport, headed by Veikko Nekundi.
Employment Equity Commission appointments debated
The National Assembly resumed debate on the proposed appointment of nominees to the eighth Employment Equity Commission, whose term runs from 1 March 2025 to 29 February 2028.
During the debate, Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) leader Immanuel Nashinge argued that the appointments should not be treated as a routine parliamentary exercise and called for a closer examination of the commission’s performance.
The contribution highlighted concerns about persistent disparities in senior management and corporate leadership, inadequate resources, limited inspections, delays in reporting and the need for stronger enforcement of affirmative action requirements.
The MP called for improved verification of employers’ submissions, better reporting and measures to ensure that employment equity translates into genuine opportunities for Namibians to advance in their careers.
-ehakaala@nepc.com.na
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