SADC Parliamentary Forum
SADC PF Mourns Theo-Ben Gurirab
20 Jul 2018Staff Writer
The SADC Parliamentary Forum has joined the Government, people of Namibia and the international community in expressing deepest condolences following the passing on of Dr. Theo-Ben Gurirab, the former Speaker of the National Assembly of Namibia and also former President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
In a statement, the President of SADC PF, Fernando da Piedade Dais dos Santos, who is also Speaker of the National Assembly of Angola, said death had robbed the world of a “liberation hero, diplomat par excellence and an internationalist.”
Gurirab died on Saturday 14 July 2018. He served as Speaker of the National Assembly of Namibia after the late Dr. Mose Tjitendero, the founding Speaker of the National Assembly of the Parliament of Namibia who was also the founding Chairperson of the SADC PF.
President of SADC PF, Fernando da Piedade Dais dos Santos, who is also Speaker of the National Assembly of AngolaDos Santos said Namibia was not only instrumental in establishing the SADC PF, but continues to host the Forum’s Secretariat.
“As a result, the SADC PF has benefitted from the wise stewardship of three successive Speakers of the National Assembly. This bears testimony to Namibia’s commitment to the SADC Integration Agenda and to the Forum, which is the voice of SADC Parliamentarians,” he said.
Dos Santos recalled that in 2007, SADC Parliamentarians nominated Gurirab as their candidate for the coveted position of President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
“Subsequently the African continent unanimously endorsed his candidature. Hon. Dr. Gurirab was elected by more than 170 parliaments and served from 2008 to 2011,” he said.
He said Gurirab took Parliamentary diplomacy to new heights in that during his tenure, the IPU was granted observer status by the United Nations.
“By supporting the call for the transformation of the SADC PF into a SADC Regional Parliament, Hon. Dr. Gurirab advocated for the appreciation of Parliamentary diplomacy in the SADC Region.”
Dos Santos said the greatest honour that the SADC Region could bestow “on this gentle giant” is to heed the call for the establishment of a SADC Regional Parliament.
“The upcoming 38th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government which will be held on 17th – 18th August 2018 in Windhoek, presents a golden opportunity,” Dos Santos said.
He noted Gurirab’s commitment and role in shaping the international development agenda.
“The leadership he provided during his tenure as President of the United Nations General Assembly (1999-2000) led to the development of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs.) The MDGs laid the foundation for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): the current international blueprint,” he said.
Quoting the vision statement of the 17 SDGs which run from 2015 to 2030, dos Santos said: “We can be the first generation to end extreme poverty, the most determined generation in history to end injustice and inequality, and the last generation to be threatened by climate change.”
He encouraged the world to recommit to serving humanity in honour of Gurirab.
… as SADC PF denounces attacks at rallies
Staff Writer in Luanda, Angola
The Speaker of the National Assembly of Zimbabwe, Adv. Jacob Mudenda has briefed the 43rd Plenary Assembly Session of the SADC Parliamentary Forum on Zimbabwe's preparedness for harmonised elections scheduled for July 30 2018.
Mudenda spoke on Thursday immediately after the 14-member regional body issued a strongly-worded statement condemning a suspected grenade attack at a rally that President Emmerson Mnangagwa had addressed in Bulawayo on 23 June 2018. The statement, read out on behalf of the Forum by Mozambican Parliamentarian Jaine Bessa Augusto Neto, also condemned a grenade attack that appeared to have targeted Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Rt. Hon. Abiy Ahmed, on the same day.
"We strongly condemn these heinous and barbaric acts of terrorism which are an affront, to the peace and tranquillity prevailing both in Zimbabwe and Ethiopia and the African continent as a whole," the statement read.
The Plenary, which is the supreme decision-making of the SADC PF said the region's MPs could not remain silent while "criminals and violence perpetrators attempt to create instability, chaos and despondency in these two sovereign States, in the Region and in Africa in general, by subverting the will of the people to be governed democratically and peacefully".
The Plenary enjoined the people of Zimbabwe and Ethiopia to remain united in the face of "cowardly and desperate attacks" on their sovereignty and democracy.
Through the statement, the SADC Parliamentary Forum conveyed condolences to the families of people who died in the attacks and wished the many that were injured speedy recovery.
"The law must take its full course in pursuing and bringing to book the enemies of peace who committed these heinous acts of terrorism," the Plenary said.
The SADC PF statement followed a similar statement by the President of Angola Joao Lourencio.
Mudenda told the Plenary that Zimbabwe's election roadmap for the harmonised elections was formally set in motion by a Proclamation issued by President Mnangagwa, setting July 30 as the date for the Elections.
"Section 143 (1) of our Constitution clearly provides that the life of Parliament is five years beginning on the day the President-Elect was sworn in and that Parliament stands dissolved at midnight on the day before the first day of the elections which is 29 July 2018. Section 158 (1) of our Constitution states that a general election must be held not more than thirty days before the expiry of the five-year period specified in section 143 (3) of the national Constitution cited above. Accordingly, nomination courts sat on 14th June 2018," Mudenda explained.
He said the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, is an independent Commission established in terms of section 238 of the Constitution to manage Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Authority elections, would prepare for, conduct and supervise elections "in such a manner that they are conducted efficiently, freely, fairly and transparently in accordance with the Electoral law as provided for in section 239(a) of our Constitution".
The Speaker said all election observers would be accredited by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission in terms of section 239(i) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
He revealed that pre-election observation missions from the United States, European Union, the United Nations and the Commonwealth had already visited Zimbabwe while the Electoral Commission had assured Zimbabwe and the international community that the elections would be conducted democratically in a peaceful political environment.
Mudenda said the "mushrooming" of 128 political Parties and a record 23 Presidential candidates set to participate in the elections was proof of the transparent democratic space unprecedented since Zimbabwe's independence in 1980.
"In the same vein, media coverage for the electoral process has been pervasive and inclusive of all political Parties."
He said the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission had since produced copies of the updated voters' roll for inspection by the public and political parties.
"It should also be noted that the current elections will be conducted using a biometric voters' roll similar to the Namibian experience. As at 29 th May 2018, a total of 5 524 188 people had registered to vote. In terms of our law, the registration for voters stopped 12 days after the close of the Nomination Courts."
Noting that the Zimbabwean Head of State had categorically stated on numerous occasions that the country would conduct free, transparent, fair and credible elections, Mudenda said all political parties had been campaigning freely in the country.
"A number of countries and international organisations such as the Commonwealth, the African Union, the European Union, the Swedish government, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and Republican International Institute have sent teams to pre-assess the prevailing electoral environment before rolling out their observation teams."
He said the teams had concluded that the electoral environment was conducive to holding free, fair, transparent and possibly credible elections.
"To bolster this scenario … all the 23 Presidential candidates signed a PEACE PLEDGE on 26th June 2018 to the effect that all these candidates must be advocates for peaceful elections before, during and after their conclusion."
Additionally, he said, electoral courts had been established in the country's ten provinces to deal with all electoral breaches expeditiously.
Meanwhile, the President of SADC PF will no longer have to hit the table with his or her clenched fist to call for order. This after Mozambique donated a hammer to the President on Thursday.
… as SADC PF Plenary gets underway
Staff Writer
The 43rd Plenary Assembly Session of the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) got underway here on Monday with the President of Angola strongly denouncing suspected grenade attacks that appeared to have targeted the leaders of Zimbabwe and Ethiopia recently.
Last Saturday an explosion rocked White City Stadium in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second largest city where President Emmerson Mnangagwa had been addressing a rally. Although the Zimbabwean Head of State escaped unscathed, nearly 50 people including his two deputies were injured. Reports now indicate that two of those injured have succumbed to their injuries. Also last week, a grenade exploded killing two people and injuring many others at a rally for Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Addis Ababa.
Angolan President, Joao LourencoWhile officially opening the SADC PF Plenary Session, Angolan President Joao Lourenco strongly condemned the attack that took place in Zimbabwe at a public rally as "cowardly, criminal and undemocratic."
He encouraged Zimbabweans to continue working toward holding elections scheduled for 30 July 2018. Angola chairs the SADC Organ on Politics, Defense and Security Cooperation, a body created by SADC to deal with peace and security matters in the SADC region. Lourenco said the attacks in Bulawayo and Addis Ababa must be condemned because they sought to undermine efforts that are ongoing toward holding democratic elections, particularly in Zimbabwe.
He said the attacks were reprehensible, also, because they happened at a political rally where many innocent people could be maimed or killed while exercising their civil liberties which are enshrined in the Constitution as well as in the constitutive instruments of SADC, including the revised principles and guidelines governing democratic elections.
Turning to regional integration and development, the Angolan Head of State called for concerted efforts towards the SADC region's industrialization and optimum use of its natural resources.
The Plenary Assembly session is being held under the theme: Deepening SADC Economic Integration Through Industrialization: The Role of Parliament. Lourenco said the theme was apt given current socioeconomic challenges within the SADC Region that include inability to respond to the needs of the youth in terms of employment.
Observers say industrialization can ensure that as economies of SADC Member States grow, they yield tangible benefits for young people, many of whom have nothing to lose or gain from what has been described as jobless economic growth in some circles.
The SADC PF has been in existence for 21 years and discussions around the role of Members of Parliament in consolidating its gains are gaining traction, with some people citing delays in transforming it into a SADC Regional Parliament as a serious institutional gap thwarting regional integration.
Lourenco reaffirmed his country's commitment to the regional integration agenda and in supporting the role of Parliament. He told delegates that the issue of SADC PF's transformation into a SADC Regional Parliament was being considered at the highest level in Angola and would be discussed at the next summit for SADC Heads of State and Government scheduled for Namibia.
President of SADC Parliamentary Forum and The Speaker of the National Assembly of Angola Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos The Speaker of the National Assembly of Angola Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos, is President of SADC PF. Speaking at the same occasion, he called for new and innovative strategies to promote rapid regional economic integration.
SADC PF Acting Secretary General Ms. Boemo Sekgoma told the Angolan President that the Forum had evolved "to tackle issues of major concern to the SADC Region such as good governance, trade, women empowerment, gender equality, and HIV and AIDS, among others."
Sekgoma said as the main policy organ of the SADC PF, the Plenary Assembly had consistently provided a platform which had helped to shape policy and parliamentary processes in all SADC Member States. She explained that 12 SADC Member States were represented.
Notable among delegates attending the plenary are: Hon Fernando da Piedade Dias, Speaker of the National Assembly of Angola; the Rt. Hon Siphiri Motanyane, Speaker of the National Assembly of Lesotho; Hon Veronica Nathaniel Macamo Dlhova, Speaker of the National Assembly of Mozambique; Hon Professor Peter Katjavivi, Speaker of the National Assembly of Namibia; Hon Nicholas Prea, Speaker of the National Assembly of Seychelles; Hon Baleka Mbete, Speaker of Parliament of South Africa; and Hon Advocate Jacob Mudenda, Speaker of the National Assembly of Zimbabwe.
The Parliament of the Kingdom of Eswatini and Mauritius are absent with apologies. The East African Legislative Assembly and the Pan African Parliament sent representatives who reiterated the importance of regional parliaments in fostering regional integration.
The 43rd Plenary Assembly Session is being held in the Palace of the National Assembly of Angola, marking the first time that it has been held in a building of a Member Parliament. Some delegates say the fact that Angola put its majestic parliament at the disposal of the Forum during this Plenary is procedurally significant.
Said one delegate: "It is a demonstration of the readiness and the acceptance of by the membership of SADC PF that we are indeed a parliament that has come of age. It speaks to the issue of transformation that SADC PF has been pushing for."
From Moses Magadza in Luanda, Angola
Luanda - Members of Parliament (MPs) from different SADC Member States attending the 43rd Plenary Assembly Session of the SADC Parliamentary Forum were bracing for a busy time with important reports and motions set for consideration after the Plenary began in earnest on Wednesday.
The MPs were expected to receive and debate a number of key motions as they tackle common challenges affecting the SADC Region. The Plenary began with an official opening ceremony and a symposium on Monday. This Plenary, which is the ultimate decision-making body of SADC PF, will consider a report of the Forum’s Executive Committee.
The Executive Committee is the management board of the Forum which provides stewardship over management and financial matters of the institution, which brings together 14 National Parliaments and approximately 2 500 MPs throughout the SADC Region.
Acting SADC PF Secretary General Ms Boemo Sekgoma said early this week that the Executive Committee would present three reports: on general management of the institution, on financial matters and a one related to amendment to the rules and constitution of the Forum with a view to strengthen certain areas - including establishment of a forum for chairpersons of Standing Committees and the Chairperson of the Regional Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (RWPC).
The Plenary was set to receive and consider reports from all Standing Committees of the SADC PF that met prior to the 43rd Plenary Assembly Session. A joint session of some Standing Committees was also on the cards.
Sekgoma said in terms of motions, topical ones were expected to be moved. One of the motions would focus on strengthening developmental States in Southern Africa as an alternative model to the neo-liberal developmental framework. Honourable Siphosezwe Masango of South Africa was expected to move that motion.
Another motion would be on engagement with the Parliaments of Comoros and Madagascar to encourage them to join SADC PF. This after their governments have already joined SADC and have been formally admitted.
A motion calling for concerted efforts to combat sexual harassment in the workplace throughout the region is expected from Hon. Regina Esparon of Seychelles.
Botswana’s Hon. Polson Majaga, was set to move a motion calling on MPs to take concrete steps to address the negative impacts of climate change on agriculture and food security in the SADC Region, given the huge number of people who rely on agriculture.
South Africa’s Stevens Mokgalapa, MP, was expected to move a motion calling on SADC Parliaments to do more to sustain efforts to promote electoral integrity in the Region.
ATTENTION: SADC Members of Parliament stand at attention as the National anthem of Angola is played at the start of the 43rd Plenary Assembly Session of SADC PF in Lunda, Angola. Photo: Moses MagadzaThis motion follows a decision by the 39th Plenary Assembly of SADC PF which met in the Kingdom of Eswatini in 2016 and resolved to develop a SADC Model Law on Elections against the backdrop of the adoption of the Revised SADC Guidelines and Principles Governing Democratic Elections.
This motion comes in the context of a very busy electoral calendar in the SADC Region between 2018 and 2019, during which 10 SADC Member States are expected to hold elections. In 2018 Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Madagascar and the Kingdom of Eswatini will hold elections. In 2019, Malawi, South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique Namibia and Mauritius will also go to the polls.
South Africa’s veteran politician Rosalia Morutoa is expected to move a motion on gender dimensions to land ownership and agricultural industrialization in Southern Africa.
In all, 12 of the 14 SADC PF Member Parliaments are represented at this Plenary and observers say the fact that many of the national delegations are being headed by Speakers shows the seriousness with with SADC Member States take the SADC PF and the work that it does.
In recent years the Forum has developed Model Laws to address common regional challenges that include child marriages, notably with financial support from Sweden and Norway who supported a four-year project to build the capacity of MPs to advocate for universal access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights, HIV and AIDS services. Plans are underway to develop a SADC Model Law on key populations as the region strives to ensure that no one is left behind or falls through the crack towards.
This is the third time that Angola is hosting the SADC PF Plenary. A delegation of 11 members led by Hon Professor Peter Katjavivi, Speaker of the National Assembly, is representing Namibia at the Plenary Session.
20-08-2018
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3,587The SADC Parliamentary Forum has for some time now been dealing with certain matters of an administrative, governance and policy nature guided by resolutions of its Plenary Assembly as well tasks assigned its various sub committees. The Executive Committee of the Forum met in Windhoek, Namibia from 31 May to 1 June 2018 to deliberate on some of the matters. The Sub Committees duly tabled their reports on their various assignments.
Informed by the findings of these Sub Committees, the Executive Committee has taken a decision to place the Secretary General of SADC PF on suspension pending the institution of disciplinary proceedings on the various issues raised by the Sub Committees. The Secretary General has, therefore been placed on suspension accordingly.
A Disciplinary tribunal has also been established comprising five members and chaired by Hon. Advocate Duma Gideon Boko, MP which will commence its work immediately to ensure that this matter is settled expeditiously in the best interests of all parties concerned.
In the interim, the Director of Programmes, Ms. Boemo Sekgoma has been appointed as the Acting Secretary General.
This remains an internal matter and the Executive Committee assures all its cooperating partners and stakeholders that all its decisions are to ensure proper governance and the highest levels of accountability.
THIS COMMUNIQUE IS ISSUED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SADC PARLIAMENTARY FORUM, HONOURABLE SPEAKER FERNANDO DA PIEDADE DIAS DOS SANTOS
Staff Writer
The SADC Parliamentary Forum has expressed profound sadness following the passing on of former diplomat and Member of Parliament Nora Schimming-Chase.
In a statement, SADC PF Secretary General, Dr Esau Chiviya offered “deepest condolences” to the Government and people of Namibia as well as the entire Schimming-Chase family.
“A respected diplomat and fearless advocate of the rights of women and girls, Hon Schimming-Chase diligently served as Vice-Chairperson of the SADC PF from 15th November 2006 to 27 November 2008. Whenever she presided over the Plenary Assembly Session in place of the Chairperson, she did so with unrivalled eloquence and firmness,” Chiviya said.
The SG said Schimming-Chase once served, also, as a Member of the HIV and AIDS Standing Committee of the SADC Parliamentary Forum from June 2006 to November 2008.
SADC PF Secretary General, Dr Esau Chiviya“Overall, she devoted a lot of her time and energy furthering the ideals of SADC PF. Namibia and indeed the continent have lost a steadfast advocate for human rights. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those whose lives were positively impacted by this great woman. Her passing on is a major loss,” he said.
His Royal Highness Prince Guduza, the former Speaker of the National Assembly of Swaziland, who also once served as chairperson of the SADC PF expressed “great shock and a deep sense of sadness” following Schimming –Chase’s death.
“I recall with gratitude how much of a very wise and intelligent person she was. She added value to the very many important tasks that the SADC PF had charged us with,” HRH Guduza said in a statement.
He said the late Schimming-Chase supported ongoing efforts to transform the SADC PF into a Regional Parliament. He added that she a stickler for optimal use of scarce resources at the Forum and cherished peace and tranquillity.
“She was instrumental in motivating Presiding Officers (Speakers) from various countries that are represented in the SADC PF, to go on a goodwill mission and ascertain that the government of Zimbabwe was operating in conformity with the guidelines and dictates of the Government of National Unity (GNU.)”
HRH Guduza said the former diplomat had remarkable leadership qualities, exuded authority and diligently presided over the Plenary Assembly Session of the SADC PF whenever she acted as Chairperson.
“She was an extraordinarily brilliant and gifted person.”
Botswana’s former MP Ambassador Duke LefhokoBotswana’s former MP Ambassador Duke Lefhoko, described the late Chase as “the embodiment of kindness, resoluteness, candidness, excellence and diplomatic finesse.”
He said” “She was endowed with the true lion heart trait that I find common among women rather than men.”
He added that Schimming-Chase was a brave woman.
Amb Lefhoko worked with her within the SADC PF when he was Treasurer and subsequently Vice Chairperson of the Forum.
“We participated together in some Election Observation Missions in the SADC Region. She was meticulous at work.”
He recalled that Schimming-Chase was deeply hurt and shed a tear when the Executive within the SADC Region “dealt the SADC Tribunal a fatal blow.”
He said Schimming-Chase was a “true democrat” and said her passing on was a loss not only to Namibia, SADC and Africa, but the rest of the world.
“She possessed a rare trait of being an avid listener and a leader in conversation,” he concluded.
Lesotho bites the bullet on key populations
17 Apr 2018Staff Writer
MASERU- The Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho will soon begin a process of reviewing and where necessary, reforming national laws and policies as the country takes bold steps to ensure greater access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights, HIV and AIDS services for all her citizens.
Recent outreach and oversight missions to various health and correctional facilities in parts of Lesotho by Members of Parliament and Senators exposed gaps in the country’s SRHR, HIV and AIDS response which were negatively affecting some citizens, especially key populations.
The MPs and Senators who belong to the Social Cluster, HIV and AIDS and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Committees in the National Assembly, met various people including sex workers and members of the LGBTI community. They then compiled reports which they shared during unprecedented roundtable discussions with Cabinet Ministers and Permanent Secretaries of relevant line government Ministries here last week.
In impassioned submissions, the lawmakers implored the Ministers to take decisive steps to ensure that the rights of all citizens including key populations were upheld so that universal access to SRHR, HIV and AIDS services becomes a reality.
The Minister of Justice, Human Rights and Correctional Services, Hon Mokhele Moletsane, one of the Ministers that received the reports, immediately took heed and promised action.
In an exclusive interview, the Minister commended the lawmakers for undertaking the oversight missions and for sharing their findings.
“This has been a very useful and important gathering where, as Ministers, MPs, Non-Governmental Organisations and government officials we interacted on very important issues of HIV and AIDS in relation to the so-called key populations,” he said.
He added that the meeting had enabled stakeholders to better appreciate the work that the SADC Parliamentary Forum was doing in responding to the global HIV and AIDS epidemic under the SRHR, HIV and AIDS Governance Project that Sweden and Norway are funding in seven SADC Member States including Lesotho.
“The invitation by the Portfolio Committee to Ministries that are directly working with Key Populations (the Ministry of Justice, Human Rights and Correctional Services which deals with safe custody of inmates; Ministry of Gender; the Ministry of Health; and the Ministry of Social Development which is the custodian of vulnerable people) was well thought-out.”
He said the reports shared by the MPs and Senators had enabled him to better appreciate “the peculiar needs of prisoners, women and men who form a substantial part of the population in our prisons.”
The Minister added: “This was an eye-opener. We should always bear in mind that we don’t talk only of females and males in our population. We should remember that there is the LGBTI community. As we provide services, we should remember that they are part of the nation. Like everybody else, they have rights.”
Pressed on what needs to be done going forward, Hon Moletsane was clear.
“We should now embark on a rigorous transformation of our legal framework. We must come up with new laws to cater for key populations. We need new policies. Parliamentarians should embark on that rigorous reform to cater also for the needs of special groups within our institutions.”
Hon Moletsane expressed optimism that the Social Cluster and Parliamentary Committee on HIV and AIDS would help the Government of Lesotho to develop laws and policies “to take care of everybody.”
He said as a follow up, he would invite all relevant stakeholders to his Ministry “so that we embark on a review of any piece of legislation that needs to be repealed or amended so that we realise the rights of every citizen, especially prison inmates.”
Asked what had struck him the most from the reports shared by the lawmakers, Hon Molestane first took a deep breath before saying: “The realities in our communities and the level of our ignorance as a society. We know gay people exist, but we have never taken time to understand their special situation and their special needs.”
He said what the lawmakers reported following their interactions with different members of the community including key populations warranted the full attention of the Executive and Parliament.
“We need to respond to these challenges, whether through the national budget or legal reforms. We can no longer ignore or pretend that these (key populations) do not exist. We have to act,” he said.
BITING THE BULLET: From left: Hon. Mahlompho Mokaeane, Deputy Minister of Gender and Sports; Hon. Manthabiseng Phohleli, Deputy Minister of Health; Minister of Justice, Human Rights and Correctional Services, Hon Mokhele Moletsane; and Hon. Nkaku Kabi, Minister of Health react to reports by MPs and Senators on the plight of key populations in Lesotho. Photo: Moses Magadza
He commended the MPs and Senators for throwing light on matters that for long had been skirted.
“They are determined to work and enlighten us. When it is done at this high level of governance, it says a lot. Parliament is taking its mandate seriously.”
He said Lesotho was going through exciting times towards universal access to SRHR, HIV and AIDS services. He called for all hands on board.
“Let us join hands and look into the future so that we can celebrate being part of that change. As an individual and as an official of government, I am determined … to be part of those willing to bring about change,” he said.
Hon Moletsane said he was keenly alive to the challenges that lay ahead.
“It is not going to be easy. We are a religious community but I am going to add my voice to numerous voices that are already advocating for change.”
He said he would instruct officials in his Ministry to engage all stakeholders to be part of the envisaged transformation. He commended the SADC PF for building the capacity of MPs to advocate for universal access to SRHR, HIV and AIDS services and said enlightened lawmakers can make a huge difference.
“The importance of MPs cannot be over-emphasized. If MPs have a better appreciation of the needs of special populations, it would be very easy for us to work with them to respond to these challenges. People look up to us as leaders to wisely legislate to empower them.”
Other Ministers who attended the discussion are: Hon. Matebatso Doti, Minister of Social Development; Hon. Mokhele Moletsane, Minister of Justice and Correctional Service; Hon. Nkaku Kabi, Minister of Health
Hon. Mahlompho Mokaeane, Deputy Minister of Gender and Sports; Hon. Maphoka Motoboli, Deputy Minister of Education, and Hon. Manthabiseng Phohleli, Deputy Minister of Health.
Staff Writer
The 42nd Plenary Assembly Session of the SADC PF ended in the Namibian capital on December 3 2017 with delegates focusing on consolidating issues that started at the 41st plenary assembly session in Seychelles which ushered in a new leadership within the regional deliberative body.
Among the main issues deliberated and agreed upon was the issue of transformation of the SADC PF into a SADC Regional Parliament.
When plenary began, SADC PF President Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos who is also the Speaker of the National Assembly of Angola, called for concerted efforts to transform the Forum into a regional legislative body in keeping with its founding objectives.
Mr. Sheuneni Kurasha, the Parliamentary Business Focal Person at SADC PF, said many MPs and National Parliaments were now supportive of the envisaged transformation.
"There is consensus among SADC Member Parliaments that there is need for a Regional Parliament. The SADC Treaty places obligation on Member States to ratify SADC decisions for them to take effect," Kurasha said in an interview.
In almost all SADC Member States, ratification SADC and other decisions is the responsibility of Parliament. The absence of a Regional Parliament in Southern Africa means that there is no legislative body that facilitates speedy ratification of SADC decisions by National Parliaments.
"The SADC PF tries to assume that role but within the context and confines of a deliberative body which is not legislative. Accordingly, the just ended plenary resolved to accelerate engagement with SADC Heads of State and Government and other stakeholders on the need for a SADC Regional Parliament," he added.
The SADC Region remains the only one of the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) of Africa without a regional legislative assembly.
The plenary welcomed progress made toward the development of a SADC Model Law on Elections under the SADC PF's Standing Committee of Democratization, Governance and Human Rights. Expectations are that the Model Law would facilitate the domestication of electoral instruments.
In the area of gender, the plenary agreed to focus on gender-responsive budgeting, which is the main-streaming of gender issues across the budget development process to ensure that issues that affect men and women, but in particular women for historical reasons, are addressed through the budget via allocation of resources.
In the same vein, the plenary highlighted the importance of the participation of women in elections, politics and decision-making to ensure that gender equality as it relates to increased representation, participation, and empowerment of women is realised given, that women constitute the majority in many countries.
VOCAL: ZIMBABWEAN LAWMAKER MONICA MUTSVANGWA (STANDING) MAKES A POINT DURING THE PLENARY ASSEMBLY SESSION OF SADC PF.Delegates were briefed on major developments in different countries. For instance, the Speaker of the Parliament of Zimbabwe, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, updated the plenary on the situation in Zimbabwe following recent events which led to the resignation of former President Robert Mugabe and the subsequent inauguration of the new President, Emerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa. The plenary wished Zimbabwe well and expressed optimism that the fortunes of ordinary Zimbabweans would improve.
From Lesotho's Speaker of the National Assembly Sephiri Enoch Motanyane, the plenary received an update regarding what has been an ongoing political crisis in that country which has prompted SADC to intervene through a commission previously and more recently, a peace-keeping mission.
In recent years, each time Lesotho went into a general election, it has been forced to form a coalition government because none of the parties has been able to garner adequate numbers to be able to form a government on its own. Those coalition governments have been fractious, leading to their collapse and snap elections being called. Over the past five years, three elections have been called for in Lesotho.
Motanyane explained that there had been notable progress in Lesotho in terms of implementation of reforms recommended by SADC PF, the African Union, the Commonwealth Observer Mission and others after the last elections which were held in May 2017, in which SADC PF participated as an observer.
The plenary welcomed the good tidings of progress in Lesotho and encouraged the new government and stakeholders to continue implementing reforms to ensure that the country returns to normalcy. Recommendations made include the need to regulate political floor-crossing, which has triggered instability when it has led to imbalance in terms of numbers that political parties are required to remain in government.
Angolan Speaker dos Santos briefed the plenary on the last election which took place in Angola on August 23 2017 which SADC PF unfortunately did not observe. SADC regulations stipulate that in order for an election observation mission to be deployed, there is need for a quorum of seven Member States. Only four SADC Member States expressed willingness to send observers to Angola. Since this did not make a quorum, the Forum could not send observes.
Delegates stressed the need for SADC PF to observe all elections in SADC Member States. They argued that this was in line with the oversight mandate of Parliaments.
The plenary noted that Angolan elections were conducted peacefully and ushered in a new President, João Lourenço, a former member of the SADC PF.
Election observation does not seem to be getting the attention of cooperating partners, yet in the eyes of SADC MPs; it remains an important issue as it constitutes an important aspect of democracy.
Noting that the of election observers has a restraining effect, Kurasha said the presence of observers during an election tends to boost the confidence of citizens and minimize election-related conflicts.
"This is because observers have a mandate to assess the extent to which member states adhere to the various codes of conduct that obtain in member parliaments. Election observation missions provide an opportunity for independent witnesses to elections. To that extent, they guarantee integrity of electoral processes."
The plenary resolved that Parliaments that are ready and able must participate in observer missions. However, delegates highlighted the need for all SADC Member Parliaments to participate saying when more Parliaments participate, it becomes cheaper and lends more legitimacy to elections.
Typically, SADC PF observer missions include male and female Parliamentarians from governing and opposition parties, which guarantees plurality.
Speaker of the National Assembly of Tanzania, Job Ndugai, attended the plenary with MPs from his country to a rousing welcome. It was the first time in nearly four years that a Speaker of the National Assembly of Tanzania attended the plenary.
Tanzania is not only a founder member of the SADC PF, but the country has been very active in the Forum. In brief remarks, Ndugai pledged his National Assembly's unwavering support to the work of SADC PF and the regional integration agenda.
An MP from the United Republic Tanzania, Ally Ally Sally moved one of the motions tabled and adopted during the plenary. The motion called for concerted efforts to ensure women's more active participation and representation as well as empowerment in politics and decision making positions.
Debating of motions tabled during the plenary was so passionate and lengthy that some motions were deferred to the next plenary assembly session which will be held in June 2018 in Angola.
Kurasha said the fact that some motions could not be dealt with was proof of the seriousness with which MPs generally deal with issues brought to plenary.
Among the highlights of the just ended plenary assembly session was the announcement that SADC PF had finally procured an official residence for its Secretary General, Dr Esau Chiviya, in keeping with standard practice and procedures of organizations like SADC PF.
The plenary drew approximately 110 delegates who included Speakers of National Assemblies, Deputy Speakers, MPs and staff of national parliaments from 13 of the 14 SADC PF Member Parliaments.
TETE-A-TETE: Speaker of the National Assembly of Namibia , Professor Peter Katjavivi chats with a fellow delegate during the 42nd Plenary Assembly Session of the SADC PF in Windhoek last week.The Democratic Republic of Congo was absent with apology. Kurasha expressed gratitude to the Government and the people of the Republic of Namibia, the National Assembly of Namibia as represented by the Speaker Prof Peter Katjavivi and his staff for supporting the plenary.