Stefanus Nashama
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) Member of Parliament, Inna Hengari, says there is a need for a Cabinet reshuffle, particularly for the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication, and Social Welfare and the Ministry of Sport, Youth, and National Service due to the incompetence of the two ministers.
Hengari said President Hage Geingob’s nonchalant attitude toward his non-performing Cabinet is unacceptable and that it cannot be condoned any longer.
“Those who are not ready to be the first in line for the defence of society’s most vulnerable sectors, must pack up and go home,” she said.
She made a comprehensive comparison of the ministries’ objectives and claimed the two institutions have failed miserably in their mandates, adding that the ministries have done nothing about the matter of the social upliftment of children and youth.
Hengari made these remarks after tabling a motion in Parliament on Wednesday. The bill seeks to debate violence against children and their neglect in Namibian society. The bill also calls on relevant stakeholders to take action in ending the national epidemic.
In a Parliament session on Wednesday, Hengari faced the Minister of Sport, Youth National Service, Agnes Tjongarero, questioning the commitment of the ministry to the young people of the country.
In response, Tjongarero, on Thursday hit back, saying that Hengari may “shout and jump up and down” about the reshuffling of ministers but that such action is the responsibility of the President.
On the issues related to the youth, Tjongarero said the ministry is busy collaborating with other ministries and stakeholders to address some of the challenges facing the Namibian youths including upgrading and building sports facilities.
However, the Minister indicated that the Ministry does not give or create jobs. She added that Hengari is confused about the mandate of the ministry.
“Hengari being a Parliamentarian misunderstood the mandate of the Ministry,” Tjongarero said.
Hengari yesterday added that the incidences of violence against children in Namibia is shocking, tragic, and relentless. According to her, the ignorance of the needs of the youth from responsible Ministries has indeed become a situation “of no worries and no care”.
She said her calls are justified by daily reports about children being raped, abused, or subjected to other sorts of violence which have become increasingly regular in the country.
During her Motion in Parliament on Wednesday, Henagri stressed that the escalating violent crimes committed against children in Namibia pose a serious threat to the basic fabric of Namibian society.
“This is only the tip of the iceberg, reflecting the country’s social health in terms of the cultural aspects of our patriarchal society and our violent colonial past that is perpetuated in post-independent Namibia. The horrific and brutal acts of violence and negligence against children are a clear indication that the recently acquired freedom of basic human rights does not appear to be available to all Namibian citizens, particularly children, and youth,” she said.
She said it is not enough for the government through the two Ministries to make laws and policies and added that the government should consistently review and evaluate the implementation of such policies.
“It is, within our rights as a legislative house to revisit law and policy to assess its overall impact on society,” she stated.
She suggested that the government should create awareness of the utilization of medical, psychological, legal, and protective services available for children and youth who have experienced violence to strengthen and develop community-based protection mechanisms.
“Invest in strengthening the workforce of social service providers. Improve the ability of front-line personnel who come into touch with children to detect children at risk. Evaluate the implementation of all relevant laws and policies that seek to protect the Namibian child, with the view of strengthening implementation, closing loopholes, and understanding the general impact of the laws that are made in this House, she added.
