Dear Namibian Citizens,

As you vote during the seventh general election since gaining independence in 1990, I extend my warmest regards on behalf of the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF).

These elections mark a pivotal moment in Namibia’s democratic journey and reaffirm the country’s commitment to democracy, good governance, and the rule of law. As the electorate, your active and peaceful participation throughout the election cycle has been the anchor of Namibia’s democratic culture, which continues to inspire the region and beyond.

Today, as we observe the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, we stand united in our commitment to end all forms of violence against women and girls in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and beyond. This day marks the beginning of 16 days of activism against gender-based violence - a time to not only reflect on the pervasive issue of violence but also to mobilise our collective efforts towards change.

Dear Batswana,

As you vote today to determine the composition of the 13^th Parliament and local councils across the country, I extend my warm wishes on behalf of the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF).

By Moses Magadza

WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA – SADC citizens will have an opportunity to engage their representatives within the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) on a range of issues when it hosts its 2024 Public Hearing Session from Friday October 18 to 25, 2024.

Mr Joseph Manzi,  the Director of Programmes at the SADC PF, said the  public hearings seek to leverage the role of the SADC PF in facilitating citizen participation in regional integration, with the theme: “Leveraging the Role of SADC Parliamentary Forum in Facilitating Citizen Participation in SADC Regional Integration for Enhanced Accountability and Inclusive Socio-Economic Development and Cohesion.”

The SADC PF introduced public hearings in 2022 under the broad theme: “Consolidating Democracy by Bringing Parliament to the People”. Mr Manzi said the public hearings are now structured to encourage a more inclusive dialogue concerning regional governance while actively addressing key issues such as Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), gender equality, democratic processes, climate action and socio-economic development.

He said the shift to this year’s theme reflects years of feedback indicating a need for greater awareness among citizens regarding the opportunities SADC PF presents. The approach is thus about informing SADC citizens about the avenues available for participation within parliamentary structures.

The public hearings will take place virtually, allowing for greater participation without the logistical challenges associated with physical gatherings.

“We are using platforms like Zoom, and we are incorporating translation in English, French, and Portuguese to reach a broader audience,” Mr Manzi explained.

He added that to ensure that no one is left behind, SADC PF has introduced sign language interpretation during the public hearings, marking a significant step toward full inclusivity.

“We want to guarantee that every voice is heard. These public hearings are for all SADC citizens, including those who may often be overlooked,” he stressed.

With 12 SADC Member States having signed the Agreement to Amend Treaty establishing the SADC PF, the Forum is set to transform into a SADC Parliament. Mr Manzi said as the transition toward a regional parliament gathers momentum, it is important that SADC citizens understand and exercise their power to influence regional outcomes.

“The SADC PF made a policy in 2022 that one of the two statutory meetings (per year) of its standing committees should be a public hearing session. There has been growing interest among citizens, Members of Parliament and other stakeholders. We expect this trend to continue as we go into the third round of the virtual public hearings starting from 18 October 2024 all the way up to the 25th of October 2024,” he stated.

Mr. Manzi said everything was set.

“All our committees are ready and there is eagerness all round,” he noted.

He said two committees held their public hearings physically in Johannesburg between the 19th and the 22nd of September 2024. These are the Regional Parliamentary Model Laws Oversight Committee (RPMLOC) and the Standing Committee on Human Social Development and Special Programs (HSDSP.

Five other committees will hold their public hearings virtually, beginning on Friday with the Standing Committee on Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Climate Action (FANRCA) which Ms. Rachel Mundilo manages. Namibian MP Honourable Philippus Katamelo chairs the committee.

During the public hearing, the FANRCA committee will focus on several issues related to climate-smart agriculture and sustainable practices in the SADC region. Discussions will explore innovative agricultural techniques that enhance food security and the role of Parliamentary Food Security and Nutrition Alliances in promoting these practices.

The committee will also address challenges in natural resource management and biodiversity conservation, identifying barriers to effective climate finance mobilisation. Water security will be another key theme.

Strategies for disaster risk reduction and climate resilience will be examined, with a focus on vulnerable communities, while the committee will consider renewable energy adoption challenges and the impact of targeted climate finance initiatives to facilitate de-carbonation in the region.

Mr. Manzi urged SADC citizens to participate in the public hearings, saying they offer an opportunity to participate in the activities of SADC PF and to flag relevant current and emerging issues need attention.

He noted that the SADC PF’s Strategic Plan (2024-2028) outlines its commitment to advocating for human rights and socio-economic prosperity in the region, hence the public hearings to enable public participation in the affairs of the SADC region.

The  objectives of the public hearings include: facilitating citizen input on regional integration policies; enhancing parliamentary transparency and responsiveness to citizen concerns; gathering insights on inclusive socio-economic development strategies; promoting social, political, and economic cohesion across SADC Member States; and addressing contemporary issues through parliamentary approaches, such as climate change, public financial management, and youth employment.

A wide range of stakeholders, including Members of Parliament, civil society organisations, community leaders, academic experts, private sector representatives, and marginalised groups are expected to participate in the hearings.

*Moses Magadza is the Media and Communications Manager at SADC PF.

Dear representatives of Member Parliaments, Civil Society Organisations and other partners,

It is with overwhelming pleasure and honour that I release this Statement on the occasion of the International Day of the Girl Child.

In this respect, the Forum fully associates itself with the UN theme for this year that relates to “Girls’ Vision for the Future” which demonstrates the need for Parliaments and Governments to prepare an inclusive future which is accommodative of the voices of young girls, teenagers and women at all levels, especially where decision-making roles are involved. Girl children in Africa and elsewhere are allowed to be planners, visionaries, and even dreamers who aspire for the future that they want in a conducive society that is respectful of gender equality and equal opportunities.

In the 21st century, practices such as child marriages and betrothals, Female Genital Mutilations (FGM), school dropouts due to menstruation or early pregnancies, to cite but a few, are abhorrent to a democracy and to the development of girls in Africa. In this respect, the Forum relentlessly advocates for the domestication of the SADC Model Law on Child Marriage, the SADC Model Law on Gender-Based Violence (GBV)and the SADC Model Law on Public Financial Management (PFM) which impose financial discipline on Member States to promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the yearly budget exercise.

Despite the above measures, there are still enduring divides in legal and regulatory frameworks concerning protection of girls in Africa. Yet, the protection of girls is not an option, it is a must and constitutes a baseline without which socio-economic development will continue to lag behind. It is trite that a society which does not recognize the merits of girl children will be vowed to failure.

For its part, the Forum will continue to work closely and consistently with its Member Parliaments and partners to ensure that laws and policies regarding child protection are progressively domesticated to create the coveted Vision that we want for our children.

Yours sincerely,

H.E Boemo M SEKGOMA

SECRETARY GENERAL

STATEMENT OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE GIRL CHILD 11TH OCTOBER 2024

By Moses Magadza in Johannesburg, South Africa

A regional capacity development workshop focusing on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR),HIV and AIDS began in Johannesburg on Monday, with the Secretary General of the SADC Parliamentary Forum, Ms Boemo Sekgoma, calling for collaboration among regional parliaments, civil society organisations, and educational institutions to effectively implement key initiatives for democratic governance and health rights.

By Moses Magadza in Johannesburg, South Africa

A statutory meeting of the Standing Committee on Human and Social Development and Special Programmes (HSDSP) of the SADC Parliamentary Forum began on 19 September 2024 in Johannesburg, South Africa, amid urgent calls for sustainable health financing across the SADC region.

Member of Parliament Honourable Mope Khati from Lesotho chairs the committee. He officially opened the hybrid meeting, with some Members of Parliament including those from Zambia and Seychelles participating virtually.

By Moses Magadza

The President of the SADC Parliamentary Forum, Honourable Roger Mancienne, has underlined the urgent need for educational reform across the continent, advocating for a comprehensive strategy to build resilient education systems that cater to all Africans in the 21st century.

Hon Mancienne, who is also the Speaker of the National Assembly of Seychelles, made the call on Monday when he addressed a sitting of the Pan African Parliament Committee virtually.

An art exhibition themed, “So She Was Turned to a Pillar of Salt,” began in the Namibian capital Windhoek on Saturday, with renowned Namibian artist Jo Rogge being hailed for her transformative contributions to contemporary art and social justice.

The exhibition, which opened to an engaged audience of art enthusiasts, diplomats, and social activists, revolves around the complex relationship between memory, identity, and the evolution of society.

SADC Parliamentary Forum Secretary General Ms Boemo Sekgoma, was the keynote speaker at the launch.

“Art is the language through which we express the soul of humanity,” the SG said.

Drawing on the words of Nobel Laureate Saul Bellow, Ms Sekgoma posited that art “penetrates what pride, passion, intelligence and habit erect on all sides,” inviting attendees to embrace the “genuine reality” often obscured by the noise of everyday life.

The exhibition’s theme encourages viewers to grapple with the tension between reflecting on the past and moving toward the future.

“We must remember that while we learn from our experiences, we cannot live there,” Ms Sekgoma cautioned, adding, “True progress lies in forging ahead, unburdened by the ghosts of yesterday.”

Addressing the pressing issues affecting women around the world, Ms Sekgoma stressed art’s powerful role in challenging outdated norms.

“Child marriages, female genital mutilation, and gender-based violence are not merely harmful cultural relics. These practices turn women into pillars of salt - frozen in time and denied the chance to move forward,” she argued.

She noted that through artistic expression, Rogge’s work aims to inspire change and give voice to the marginalised, invoking the need for society to reexamine and dismantle harmful traditions.

She also touched on the complexities of identity in relation to societal expectations.

“The conflicts surrounding the body, especially bodies in precarious positions, reveal a philosophical paradox of identity shaped by forces beyond our control,” Ms Sekgoma said.

Recognizing the experiences of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, she noted that Rogge’s art creates a space for validation and exploration of these identities.

“In doing so, we resist the notion that people must be frozen in place and limited by outdated norms,” she asserted.

Highlighting the perils of inaction, the SG highlighted the responsibility each individual bears in the fight against oppression.

“When we remain silent, we become complicit in perpetuating these harmful systems.”

Drawing from the words of Joseph Beuys, she underscored the importance of art as a catalyst for societal change.

“Art that cannot shape society... is no art.”

Ms Sekgoma hailed Rogge for her commitment to art.

“Her artistic journey is one of deep reflection and interrogation of heritage, identity, and history,” she said.

Namibian political scientist and author Professor André du Pisani attended the launch of the exhibition. In an interview, he shed light on the profound significance of Rogge's work, noting its multifaceted impact on culture and society.

Having collaborated with Rogge since she arrived in Namibia during the 1980s, Du Pisani described her as a pivotal figure in arts education, stating, “Her role in arts education has been very formative. She has trained some very good artists.”

He said Rogge’s latest exhibition tackles pressing issues of identity and gender, presenting a tapestry of perspectives that challenge societal norms.

Du Pisani noted, “As an artist, she has defined her own identity. It’s very much about her identity. In that sense, it’s introspective.”

He said this introspection was rooted in a strong feminist ethos, with the artist embracing both radical and material feminist principles, enabling her to confront critical issues such as gender-based violence and the evolving roles of women in contemporary society.

Du Pisani elaborated on the broader implications of Rogge’s art.

He said: “She revisits what is happening to women more generally... She’s also political. She reflects on how society responds to these phenomena of unity and diversity.”

He added that Rogge’s art serves as a catalyst for discussion around identity construction and the complexity of self-definition within a diverse society.

The professor stressed the importance of knowledge construction in Rogge’s work, asserting, “That makes her an important artist, not only visually, but also in terms of the knowledge construction that her work carries.”

He said her ability to interweave artistic expression with feminist theory positions her as a critical voice in the contemporary art landscape.

Asked what he would want to see society gravitate towards considering Rogge’s work, Du Pisani articulated a vision for societal progress: “If you want social inclusivity and if you want to actualize the principles of equity, equality, and liberty, then you go into social democracy... How you deal with these different identities is an important question, not only politically but in knowledge.”

He held that Rogge’s art was instrumental in decolonizing narratives surrounding patriarchy and that it transcends mere aesthetic appeal, acting instead as a powerful commentary on identity, gender, and the quest for equality.

The exhibition runs up to 12 October.

Ends/.

*Moses Magadza is the Media and Communications Manager at the SADC Parliamentary Forum.

Dear representatives of Member Parliaments, Civil Society Organisations and other partners,

It is with immense pleasure that I release this Statement on the occasion of the International Day of Democracy, which stands as a testament of the Forum’s unyielding objective to make parliamentary democracy thrive in the SADC region.

STATEMENT FROM THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE SADC-PF ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF DEMOCRACY 15TH SEPTEMBER 2024