Wednesday, 09 February 2022, marks exactly 32 years since the adoption of the Namibian Constitution, a living document that some of its founders can only be proud of.

President Hage Geingob chaired the Constituent Assembly in 1989, which gave birth to the much-celebrated constitution, and de facto the Republic of Namibia.

Peter Katjavivi, the current Speaker of the National Assembly, also formed part of the Constituent Assembly given the mammoth task.

Both men, now in the twilight of their political career, on Wednesday reflected fondly on the national journey thus far.

Geingob described the adoption as a significant milestone in Namibia’s journey for self-determination, as it laid the basis for the country’s independence and constitutional democracy on 21 March 1990.

“We are reminded about the difficult journey we have travelled to be where we are today,” Geingob said in his statement on Wednesday.

For Geingob, it must not be forgotten that the Constitution did not come on a silver platter.

As such, the fruits of the Constitution must be guarded at all costs, the Head of State continued.

“By shunning division, tribalism, racism, corruption and crime, it is the duty of all Namibians to act as promoters and safeguards of the democratic values of liberty, unity, justice and solidarity,” the first prime minister of independent Namibia noted.

More so, while the Constitution is worth cherishing, it is not only about protecting the rights of Namibians, but also about explaining the obligations of citizens and defining the institutions of Namibia.

“I have always emphasised the Constitution as the supreme law and as a living document, which must be internalised by each and every citizen in the pursuit of full enjoyment of their rights and for the benefit of social cohesion and nation-building. Without peace and stability, the pursuit of happiness and socio-economic progress will be stunted,” he said.

Unlike in other jurisdictions, the Constituent Assembly at the time agreed to make decisions by consensus and not by majority vote. This is known as “the Namibian way” in the diplomatic arena.

Katjavivi vividly recalls this.

“This was a remarkable achievement, given that the members of the Constituent Assembly were from different political parties that had fought against each other during the liberation struggle,” Katjavivi remembers.

This act, he said, created a political culture of respect and a common commitment to national development that “served Namibia well, and should be preserved.”

Since independence, key successes directly linked to the Constitution have been recorded, Katjavivi added.

Six democratic national polls are but one example.

“Our Constitution and the laws crafted by Parliament since independence have repealed the discriminatory legal instruments of the apartheid era, to ensure that all people are treated as equal before the law,” he said.

Source: Namibia Press News Agency