Mariental: Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs and Petitions, Elder Filipe, has called for active public participation in Namibia's Constitutional Review and Reform Assessment process. He stressed the Constitution must continue to reflect the aspirations and realities of all Namibians.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Filipe made the remarks during the Constitutional Review and Reform Assessment consultations held in Mariental on Tuesday. 'The Constitution of the Republic of Namibia remains the supreme law of our country and the foundation upon which our democracy, governance structures, rights and freedoms are built,' he said.

He noted that although the Constitution has served Namibia well since Independence in 1990 by promoting peace, unity, constitutionalism and the rule of law, there is a need to periodically assess its effectiveness and relevance in response to social, economic, political and technological developments.

Filipe further stressed that constitutional review processes should be inclusive, participatory and people-centred, allowing traditional authorities, youth, women, persons with disabilities, civil society organisations, faith-based organisations, academia, local authorities and ordinary citizens to make meaningful contributions. 'The Constitution is not merely a legal document reserved for lawyers, judges or politicians. It belongs to every Namibian citizen,' Filipe said.

During the consultations, stakeholders raised several concerns and recommendations, including calls for the recognition of ancestral land in the Constitution, the removal of the veterinary cordon fence commonly known as the redline, improved constitutional education, better communication between Parliament and communities, and legislative protection for teachers against learner misconduct.

Participants also questioned delays in implementing government-approved debt write-offs involving NamWater and NamPower, while others called for laws regulating natural medicine practices and constitutional training for parliamentarians.

The nationwide Constitutional Review and Reform Assessment seeks to evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of Namibia's Constitution 36 years after Independence and identify areas requiring reform to strengthen democratic governance, the rule of law and the protection of fundamental rights. Among the participants were Hardap Governor Riaan McNab, Mariental Mayor Ethel Isaacks and local and regional authority councillors of the Hardap Region constituencies.