Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698834383385.pdf (Namibia)
BUDGET 2013/2014 CONTRIBUTION BY HON.

ALEXIA MANOMBE-NCUBE: MEMBER OF PALlAMENT (MP) Honorable Speaker, Honorable Members of this August House Honorable Speaker, good afternoon, I am extending my appreciation for this wonderful opportunity accorded to me to make a meaningful contribution towards the Parliament general debate.
first and foremost last week, where all On the eve of our hard-earned 23'd independence anniversary celebrated on the 21s1 March, once again the peace and Thursday issues, tranquility that prevail issues of national interest, which are very close to my heart, and if I do not do that than I will fail in my duty to serve this brave nation.

in our beloved Namibia.

Today I am going to address critical the Namibians demonstrated Hon.
Speaker, before I start with my contribution, allow me to thank the Honorable Minister of Finance, Me.

Sara Kuugongelwa-Amathila, the Director of National Planning Commission, and their teams for their diligent work in presenting a detailed, "Jointly Doing More with Less" budget for the fiscal year 2013/2014.

A sisterterly appreciation to comrade Kuugogelwa-Amathila for her consistent excellent deliveries of services in a challenging male dominated financial world.
Comrade Amathila-Kuungongelwa, the increases in the budget allocation to all the Ministries, and in particular Ministries Gender Equality and Child Welfare and Health, Labour and Social Welfare is noted and highly appreciated, as it will make a positive and big difference to both the vulnerable and other beneficiaries.

this financial boost will be utilized as intended.

I am convinced that · ' Cde.

Hon.


Speaker and Honorable Members of this August House, to pay Before I dwell on pertinent tribute to a Champion, a real man, in advancing gender agenda, his awakening spirit to the nation at large to denounce gender based violence, Honorable Comrade Or.

Theo-Ben Gurirab.
Theo-Ben Gurirab.

issues on Gender Balance and Child Welfare, allow me first, for his commitment And to our partners, all the Donor Funds, Grants Institutions, and their sympathetic to the tireless Namibian women for their braveries, and to all our brothers, Governments, their unwavering support accorded to their female counterparts in waging women emancipation, let's keep the momentum, Aluta Continua!!

for and Honorable Members, Comrade Chairperson Gender Cdes.
The Ministry of Gender is enacted by Parliament with a clear mandate to "Ensure gender the equality and socio-economic development children".

As stipulated by Article 95, of the principle of participation of both men and women, and to be remunerated equally.

of women and men and the well-being of the Namibian constitution, which encourage In light of that, Cde.
Speaker, to be addressed by this August House, due to their significant I strongly believe the following issues are important, and deserve impact on gender matters.

Lobbing for 50% of Women representation Hon Speaker, we set our self a target of equal representation to be achieved by 2015, where women cadres are equally represented in politics and decision making structures.

Nearing 2015, the status quo is currently only 26% in Parliament and participation today.
of Namibia has ratified the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development, Affirmative Action Policy is advanced, Constitutional and Legislative Provisions are taken care the big of.

Hon.

Members, a concerted unison effort must be deliberately done, Swapo Party, implementation brother, through our pledges and commitments.

My plea here is, may all the Parties emulate it.


Practically preparation time is now is leading by example, as it is paving right platforms whereby all Parties needs to be aggressively indulged, party list must tell the tale.

Cde Speaker, Equal representation target private sectors spheres, and at this stage equal representation fall short of the 50% goal.

This practice is counterproductive stifle economic growth and development.
for 2015, aims to ensure equal participation in all Government and and discouraging, overlooking competent women and may This calls for aggressive campaigns, effective out reach, ongoing education and mobilization at grass roots and remote areas.

On time information dissemination is always critically needed, an issues, will effect and will empowered to informed citizen on important policy matters and legal take well based organization, delivering this notable effort.
informed decisions, which is good for development.

As a result, civic and community in and other partners, must be the instruments churches, schools, Cde Speaker and Hon Members, Gender based violence is a daily occurrence in our society.

One need to address and research on the courses, what trigger gender based violence, as this monster This monstrous behavior must be stopped immediately!

Solutions to GBV, strongly demands that everyone, all responsible citizens, must get involved.
Let us encourage those who are in abusive relationships to stand up for their rights and speak up!

is still far from stopping.

Concerted efforts, leaders, schools and other sympathetic and friendly institutions, which are involve in combating GBV needs to be motivated to intensify efforts as GBV is still on the rampage.

involving community based organization, churches and traditional Mini-skirt There is no law passed by Parliament which prohibit woman from wearing mini-skirts.
Article 7 of the Constitution guarantees personal liberty of all Namibians.

NAMPOL directive may have been within the limits of the law of Combating of Immoral Practices, Act 7 of 2000.

This Act is not loud on Mini-Skirt per say, emphasize are on indecent and immoral dressing, which may not be necessarily Mini-Skirt.
We leave in a two face society, whilst a blind eye is turned on boys wearing "sapping trousers" where the underwear is seen, yet this is overlooked and only the girls "mini-skirt" is mentioned.

Honorable Members be reminded that "What is good for the gender is good for goose.

Research found that friends, people who in most cases know each other's.
destroy the myth the Mini-Skirt in most cases rape incidents happen in mostly within families, circle of If toddlers and elders are raped, please is happening to this brave nation?

is an invitation to rape.

What The Gender Balance initiative in Namibia is alive and awake, twenty three years after independence, as it speaks of volumes.
Cde Speaker and Hon Members, Old age Pension - allow me to add my voice to prior Contributors on this noble matter, by first thanking Honorable Minister of Finance, increasing old age pension and disability grant.

indeed make a big difference, especially during this economic trying time.

This provision will I have a major concern with grants However, honorable members of this august house, for provided to orphans, vulnerable and children with disability, a monthly contribution N$200,00, is insufficient.
grant of Hon.

Speaker and honorable Members, disability in general is costly, more so for the children with disability, especially those lovely children with cerebral palsy (children suffering with back related disabilities), those who needs twenty four hour care, and diapers which does not cost less than N$100,00.

Comrade Speaker, Honorable Members, Allow me to thank the first and current Right Hon Prime Minister Dr. Hage Godfried Geingob, I will not overlook who creatied the first platform, Hon.
Nahas Angula for maintaining the foundation and maintain the momentum.

Last but not least, to my President Comrade Hifikepunye Pohamba, who for the first time, appointed me as a Member of Parliament.

in a higher office, a Disability Advisory Unit.

In addition, I would like to thank the entire Swapo Party, order to continue using this platform to advance the views, nation.

My hopes and aspirations are that Meme Manombe-Ncube, who's slowly aging.
for the trust in issues, and interests of the Namibian this platform will continue to be used even beyond they have put in me, Comrade Speaker, Honorable Members by an Act of As you know the National Disability Council of Namibia was established Parliament, Act No.

26 of 2004, aiming at uplifting the livelihood of People with Disabilities in the the Disability Council was Republic of Namibia.

But only after three (3) years, for Namibian people with established in 2007, and launched.
This was a milestone achievement disabilities.

Comrade Speaker and Honorable member, The Disability Council's objectives as outlined in their Strategic Plan consist out of following themes, Resources Mobilization, and strategic on the shortcomings Compliance Management.

Comrade Speaker, allow me to elaborate experienced giving rise to the current status quo, that is, the disability is not yet fully streamlined Institutional Capacity, Strong Relationship, into the Namibian Public Services.
Honorable Members of this August House, Resources Mobilization: resources are adequately anticipated, planned and solicited.

Given the current theme which aims to ensure that is a critical the required input lack of reality, sufficient day, but it is a global economic reality, emanating from the stagnated world economic growth.
it is not only unique to the Namibian government of the resources is an acute problem, Core strategic Capacity: Institutional Development, issue of appropriate infrastructure, implementation of the Act, the time lapsed (3 years) in establishment of Disability Council, are testimonies to the prevailing state of affairs.
and requisite the delays in immediate these objectives and competent, these ideals are still not conducting Research and motivated staff, in place, hence, such trained leadership as this has taken another the delay in the appointment of new Council Members, citing the Consultation and In addition, I am also reliably informed the outstanding Results, about another delay, where an elected member was replaced with their own preferred candidate by the power being.
Subsequently this attributed to unrest, commotion and unhappiness, in view of people with disability, and disrespect.

However, the name was honorable Members, changed again back to the recommended right name.

The popular slogan "Nothing about Us Without Us", must come into full force.

this is nothing else than manipulation after a long and bitter struggle, two years to date.

information, for your Hon.

Speaker and Hon.

Members, Parliament disabilities.

to be disregarded, Is that acceptable?


the nation demands to know, is it in order for an Act of the time lapse, and the ongoing dissatisfaction of the people with Comrade Speaker and Honorable Members of this August House, the state of mind of the Namibian nation My contribution in this regard, I am contenting that largely could be ascribed that any business to do with people living with disability, is a slow business and slow mindset and slow response to any of their business.

Equally so!
Equally so!

Allow me to fully functioning make an observation, presumably, but who are unfortunately disabled, due to their own state of mind.

It calls for Namibia to institute a complete change management at a national there non-disabled Namibian, largely there are out level.
Honorable Speaker and Hon Members, It is worth revisiting the rights of people with disability, Namibians, people with disabilities, any other battle exclusion and restriction to their full participation in our society, discrimination, abuse and poverty.

like they continuously leading to them facing legitimate Namibians, are entitled to equal rights, as opposed, Disability is a crosscutting, interest, and yes indeed an issue of everyone.

To be noted, we all move in the shade of it, like death.
Honorable lllonqa, Deputy Minister of Defense said, "Communist and Socialist do not have Cde.

Peter it's an every Ministry, and an issue of national personal and as an African, people come first.

interest at heart but those of humanity".


I agree with that as it closely linked to Ubuntu Honorable Speaker and Hon Members, equal In the same line, people living with disabilities, are entitled to equal access to education and employment, and legal representation, it is clearly noticeable that our people living with disability are regarded as second class citizens, as their needs are not a priority, hence, all these delays which lead to further marginalization.
rights on the contrary, to parenthood, this is still property ownership, farfetched, political rights, Cde Speaker and Hon Members, The ongoing misconceptions and problems such as: Committee Inter-Ministerial Committee to be set up, this has not yet been achieved.
The Disability Council continues with their business, an Annual Report for the year 2011-2012 has been compiled, highlighting the challenges and achievements to date, but this Report - The Act stipulates and recommends for an Inter-Ministerial is still unattended.

disabilities who are not There are many people with Visibility and accessibility are the bottlenecks in pursuing effective deliveries of much needed services to people with disabilities.
The excuse assumed is that people with disabilities are not reachable and suitable infrastructure and environmental structures are in short supply.

Non-user friendly buildings and public transport are among operational challenges faced by people with disabilities, even those newly erected buildings do not comply with the existing regulation.
as they are hidden, whilst the reality is information accessibility, packaged receiving services Comrade Speaker and Honorable Members, Let us convert the existing regulation into legal binding requirements.

implementation of policies People with disabilities must be treated equal among the citizenry, must not be an exclusive responsibility of a certain Ministry only.

Disabilities issues are cross cutting over different such as, education, sectors.
Their needs are felt all over different Ministries, labour and employment skills development, etc.

transport, health, gender, this background that accessibility to all public services and information must be It is against in the same readily available from all the relevant Ministries concerning all the disabilities affairs, manner as it is attained by the rest of all citizens, which is mainstreaming people living with disabilities affairs into the core activities of national Public Service and facilities.
Honorable Speaker and Honourable Members of this August House, I need to comment on the state of our national hospitals at large.

Before going into that, Cde.

Chair, a special word of for job, by containing new infections of HIV/Aids, and other infectious epidemics, such TB, excellent thanks is extended to the Ministry of Health, and the Minister Malaria, etc.
I am taking cognizance of facing challenges such as compliance to the Abudja Declaration (this is under correction) as per the latest Report of 2011, Namibia is not among the list of those Countries which reached the allocation of 15% as pledged by the Heads of State and their respective Governments.
the limited budgetary resources, despite that we are still Honorable Speaker and Honourable Members of this August House, As we know the Ministry regulate public, private and non-governmental social services, ensuring equity, accessibility, affordability and on sustainable basis.
of Health and Social Services is mandated to oversee, provide and sectors in the provision of quality health and Unacceptable service levels, deteriorated health facilities, at times unfriendly and incompetency, pilferage and misused of much needed resources, state of affairs in our health system and this is unacceptable.

these are all contributing factors to the poor Cde.

Speaker, my contribution on this sorry state of affairs is that Government on sound business principles, satisfaction.
the is not out there to make profit, but we need to conduct Government affairs based in order to achieve measureable results and to provide customer is known fact that it Today the haves visit private hospitals whilst these public services, which need to be realigned.
Public facilities needs to be managed efficiently and economically, basic things like toilets, friendliness of service deliverers, does this really need additional budget, no it is about passion and taking ownership with the drive to deliver satisfaction to all the stakeholders.

running water in toilets, clean bed sheets, the have-nets are queuing for As a result of this, Government resort the dilapidated infrastructures, but it is because of the state of affairs in our public health sector.
facilities are losing its client base, people are unhappy and this is not because of incompetency in the health profession, or to visit private facilities, Honorable Speaker and Honourable Members of this August House, the Ministry of Cde Speaker, allow me to contribute towards Orthopedics Health, in most cases in particular, carrying stock of orthopedics equipment.

key orthopedic inventory lists, which are in most instances on demand, are at times out of stock.
activities under It is observed that Mind you if a needy person living with some sort of disabilities, unavailability, individual, that may lead further economic decline and total discomfort.

to worsening potentially is advised to wait due to stock the conditions, non-performance of institutional effectiveness and systems employed, Leadership, management and supervision, these are some of the challenges which need to be addressed to improve performance which will guarantee satisfaction.

Cde.
Cde.

Speaker, with the budgetary increase, surely I trust that the overall orthopedic services will improve notably, by ensuring that much needed inventories will be readily available.

This is a significant milestone and is highly appreciated by the beneficiaries.

Comrade Speaker and Honorable Members, Last but least, the Land issue is as old as the first colonial settlers in Namibia, our population of this country.
liberation struggle, yet it still remains a burning issue not settled for the majority of it is the course for the The majority of Namibians are getting poorer whilst the minority getting richer.

Namibia is facing a looming drought, many landless people find themselves grazing in the corridors alongside private farmland.

Commercial farmers are now claiming these corridors as theirs, as a result the poor landless emerging farmers have nowhere to turn their animals for grazing.
Cde Speaker, how long are landless people and some of them who are paying astronomic reap offs to their the soil going to endure this pain and humiliation?

the true sons and daughters of landlord, The authorities are citing certain law which only strengthen the Commercial threatening the marginalized.

The landless or the land hungry citizens of this beautiful country should be given to their inheritance, a dwelling place, a place to call their own.

farmers whilst In conclusion, Hon.


Speaker and Honorable Members I support reservation, and I trust foreseeable future.

the tabled budget without any the concerns raised will be attended to and will bear fruits in the that ______________________________ ENO.

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