Thank You, Outgoing MPs

As things stand, a number of current ministers will not feature in the new Cabinet, although the incoming president may retain a select few.

I want to thank all outgoing members of parliament (MPs) for their contribution. My message to you is: Please continue contributing to nation building, and use your experience to continue serving wherever you go.

Author Richard Bach once said: “Here is a test to find out whether your mission in life is complete. If you are alive, it is not.”

I am also happy to hear ministers like Kalumbi Shangula and Calle Schlettwein will allegedly become writers.

This is very interesting, as writer Elizabeth Hardwick said: “The greatest gift is a passion for reading. It is cheap, it consoles, distracts, excites, it gives you knowledge of the world, and it is a moral illumination.”

Credit must be given where it’s due.

I would also like to single out my role model, Popular Democratic Movement lawmaker Elma Dienda.

She was a true member of parliament. She recently told young people to use their power and mobilise.

She said when they enter parliament, they must not just “sit there warming the seats every day”.

The billion-dollar question is: Will young Namibians heed Dienda’s challenge and step up to shape the future they claim to own?

Yes, they can!

Fellow young people who are going to parliament, you are going to represent us all, regardless of political affiliation, and my message to all of you is very simple: Go and serve this great nation with distinction and contribute meaningfully to the country”s governance, go and serve all Namibian inhabitants to the best of your abilities.

The future of Namibia belongs to you and to those yet unborn.

Long live Namibia, a child of international solidarity, midwifed by the United Nations – a friend to all and enemy to none.

Alfeus Hamundja