FR

SADC PF President praises Namibia’s leadership, urges robust regional parliamentary integration Featured

SADC PF President praises Namibia’s leadership, urges robust regional parliamentary integration SADC PF President praises Namibia’s leadership, urges robust regional parliamentary integration SADC Parliamentary Forum

By Moses Magadza

WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA - The President of the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF), Hon. Justin Tokely, has saluted Namibia’s long-standing contribution to regional integration and parliamentary diplomacy, and called for sustained collaboration as the Forum prepares to transition into a fully-fledged regional parliament.

Speaking during a courtesy call on Wednesday by members of the Executive Committee of the SADC PF on the newly inaugurated President of Namibia, Her Excellency Madam Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Hon. Tokely congratulated her on her historic ascension as the country’s first female Head of State.

“Your recent assumption of office is a source of inspiration to our entire region. It represents a landmark victory for gender equality in African leadership,” he said.

Hon. Tokely, who is also the Speaker of the National Assembly of Madagascar, commended President Nandi-Ndaitwah’s distinguished record in governance, diplomacy, and pan-African solidarity. He described her as a “freedom fighter, seasoned diplomat, and a committed servant of the people.”

He stressed that her leadership exemplifies “dedication, integrity, and the values of African unity.”

Paying tribute to Namibia’s previous Heads of State - the late Dr. Sam Nujoma, Dr. Hifikepunye Pohamba, and Dr. Hage Geingob - Hon. Tokely acknowledged their respective roles in laying the democratic and developmental foundations upon which modern Namibia stands.

“Their cumulative leadership over three decades advanced peace, democracy, and regional integration,” he said.

He recalled that under Dr. Nujoma, Namibia played a foundational role in the establishment of the SADC PF by hosting its historic inaugural summit in Windhoek in July 1995 and generously accommodating its Secretariat since 1997.

“President Nujoma’s unwavering support for regional parliamentary diplomacy, including his vision of SADC PF as the nucleus of a future regional parliament, has guided our trajectory,” he remarked.

He noted the legacy of President Pohamba in entrenching good governance and inclusivity, noting that “nearly half of Namibia’s parliamentarians are women, a powerful testament to your nation’s progressive gender agenda.”

He also applauded President Geingob’s regional leadership, especially during his tenure as SADC Chairperson, which focused on deepening regional cooperation and economic integration.

“The Namibian example stands as a beacon of democratic governance, peace, and gender-responsive leadership. Few countries can match such a consistent commitment to human rights and gender parity,” Hon. Tokely stated.

He appreciated Namibia’s continued support to the Forum and underscored the country’s symbolic and strategic importance.

“Namibia holds a special place in the heart of the SADC PF. It has been an unwavering pillar of support since our inception,” he stated.

As the SADC PF works towards transforming into a regional parliament, Hon. Tokely called for intensified cooperation with Namibia, particularly in ensuring that regional integration efforts are people driven.

“We remain committed to ensuring that the voice of our people is heard in SADC processes and that our policies reflect democratic will. The experienced leadership and input of Namibian parliamentarians continue to enrich our deliberations,” he affirmed.

On her part, President Nandi-Ndaitwah said she was happy to “be among our Honourable Members of Parliament, particularly at a time when our region really needs the work of the parliamentarians who are our representatives.”

Notable among the SADC PF delegation were the Speaker of the National Assembly of Angola, Carolina Cerqueira; the Speaker of then Parliament of Zimbabwe, Advocate Jacob Francis Nzwidamilimo Mudenda; the Speaker of the National Assembly of Lesotho Honourable Tlohang Sekhamane; then Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia Honourable Nelly Mutti; Honourable Dumelang Selashando, leader of the opposition in Botswana; Honourable Shally Josepha Raymond; and SADC PF Secretary General Ms Boemo Sekgoma.

Ends/.

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

Rate this item
(0 votes)

À propos de nous

Le Forum parlementaire de la Communauté de développement de l'Afrique australe (SADC PF) a été créé en 1997 conformément à l'article 9 (2) du Traité de la SADC en tant qu'institution autonome de la SADC. Il s'agit d'un organe interparlementaire régional composé de treize (14) parlements représentant plus de 3500 parlementaires dans la région de la SADC.

Nous contacter

Adresse: ERF 578, Love rue près de Robert Mugabe Avenue Windhoek, Namibie

Tél: (+264 61) 287 00 00

Email: