Parliament opens, an era closes: Speaker

PRESIDENT Sam Nujoma will be opening Parliament for the last time when he does so on Wednesday next week, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Mose Tjitendero, said yesterday.

Tjitendero made the remark while inviting Namibians to join in the activities surrounding the opening of the current parliamentary session, which he said would be a watershed. In the light of national elections at the end of this year, Tjitendero said, Parliament’s opening – which features the annual State of the Nation address – would mark “the end of an era” and usher in the last months during which the President and many incumbent MPs would be subject to the demands of the nation.”Some will return, others will not.Some of those re-elected will have been in the house for 15 years.Come March 2005, we can expect to see new faces and old faces mixed,” he said.Noting that the elective nature of his post could also mean that a new Speaker is chosen by the new assembly, Tjitendero said: “Maybe time has come for you to tell some of us to leave”.Tjitendero said elections gave the nation the opportunity to change the country for the better, while building on that which had already been established.Considering the inevitable changes this year will bring, Tjitendero said it was his office’s wish that this year’s opening be accompanied by fanfare.He said he hoped the occasion would see the public engaging with MPs to raise concerns and receive answers to their questions.The official programme starts on Friday evening at 18h00 with a concert in the Parliament Gardens, featuring local artists.On Monday, NBC’s Talk of the Nation will feature a panel discussion with Tjitendero and the Chairman of the National Council, Kandy Nehova.An exhibition of Parliament’s work and activities will be held in the Parliament Gardens next Tuesday and Wednesday.The public will be able to watch the official opening and the President’s address on a big screen in front of the Parliament buildings next Wednesday afternoon.In the light of national elections at the end of this year, Tjitendero said, Parliament’s opening – which features the annual State of the Nation address – would mark “the end of an era” and usher in the last months during which the President and many incumbent MPs would be subject to the demands of the nation. “Some will return, others will not. Some of those re-elected will have been in the house for 15 years. Come March 2005, we can expect to see new faces and old faces mixed,” he said. Noting that the elective nature of his post could also mean that a new Speaker is chosen by the new assembly, Tjitendero said: “Maybe time has come for you to tell some of us to leave”. Tjitendero said elections gave the nation the opportunity to change the country for the better, while building on that which had already been established. Considering the inevitable changes this year will bring, Tjitendero said it was his office’s wish that this year’s opening be accompanied by fanfare. He said he hoped the occasion would see the public engaging with MPs to raise concerns and receive answers to their questions. The official programme starts on Friday evening at 18h00 with a concert in the Parliament Gardens, featuring local artists. On Monday, NBC’s Talk of the Nation will feature a panel discussion with Tjitendero and the Chairman of the National Council, Kandy Nehova. An exhibition of Parliament’s work and activities will be held in the Parliament Gardens next Tuesday and Wednesday. The public will be able to watch the official opening and the President’s address on a big screen in front of the Parliament buildings next Wednesday afternoon.