National Democratic Party leader who calls for non-partisan parliament speaker and criticises government budget shortfalls on pensions.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
Namibian Sun
Martin Lukato is characterized as wearing a Sani Abacha hat
“Drama, conflict, colourful characters, shouting, walkouts, plot twists, wardrobe changes and Martin Lukato wearing a Sani Abacha hat.”
Switch off the parliament camerasThe Namibian
Martin Lukato says Namibia needs a non-partisan speaker of the National Assembly
“National Democratic Party (NDP) leader and member of parliament Martin Lukato says Namibia needs a non-partisan speaker of the National Assembly who can treat all political parties equally.”
Lukato wants a non-partisan speakerThe Namibian
Martin Lukato recommends that candidates be submitted to parliament for screening and debate prior to appointment
“He says the speaker should remain neutral and free from political party affiliations, and recommends that candidates be submitted to parliament for thorough screening and debate prior to appointment.”
Lukato wants a non-partisan speakerThe Namibian
Martin Lukato was allegedly accused of running the party like a one-man operation with his family and misusing party funds
“It is alleged that these members publicly accused Lukato of running the party like a one-man operation with his family, using party funds as he pleases, as well as creating a hostile environment for party members who are not in agreement with him until they quit.”
Lukato’s party fires three members after dictatorship allegationsNew Era
Martin Lukato said the party received a response from the Presidency following a petition submitted to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on 12 June 2026
“NDP leader and member of Parliament Martin Lukato said the party has received a response from the Presidency following a petition submitted to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on 12 June 2026.”
NDP demands delimitation answersNew Era
NDP parliamentarian Martin Lukato rejected proposal to extend Parliament's working hours
“However, NDP parliamentarian Martin Lukato rejected the proposal, arguing that MPs already carry heavy workloads both inside and outside Parliament.”
IPC backs longer Parliament sittings … as NDP pushes backNamibian Sun
Martin Lukato would be characterized as a joke of a president
“You're mature enough to buy nappies but too childish to tell that Martin Lukato would be a joke of a president or that Sacky Shanghala should be kept away from public administration.”
THE WEEKENDER'S ROAST: Sweet Sixteens: Old enough for babies, too young to voteThe Namibian
National Democratic Party leader Martin Lukato described Uerikua as an active young parliamentarian with a brilliant mind
“National Democratic Party leader Martin Lukato described Uerikua as an active young parliamentarian with a brilliant mind.”
National Assembly adjourns in honour of UerikuaThe Namibian
Martin Lukato blamed past failures and corruption for continued illegal use of Botswana pula
“Political leaders and National Democratic Party leader Martin Lukato are blaming past failures and corruption for the continued, illegal use of the Botswana pula in Namibia's eastern Zambezi region.”
Eastern Zambezi still uses Botswana pula as NDP's Lukato blames past leadership for bridge delaysThe Namibian
Martin Lukato says the N$104 billion budget for 2026/2027 defaulted on a promise to increase senior citizens' pensions
“National Democratic Party leader Martin Lukato says despite positive financial reports, the N$104 billion budget for the 2026/2027 financial year tabled in the National Assembly last month, defaulted on a promise to increase senior citizens' pensions.”
Lukato dismayed by unfulfilled promise to pensionersA Namibian Sun columnist argues that since parliament went live, it has become a soap opera focused on theatrics rather than lawmaking, with MPs performing for cameras instead of conducting legislative business.
5 September 2026 · Namibian Sun →
A Namibian Sun columnist argues that since parliament went live, it has become a soap opera focused on theatrics rather than lawmaking, with MPs performing for cameras instead of conducting legislative business.
5 September 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Martin Lukato argues that Namibia needs a speaker of the National Assembly who is neutral and free from political party affiliations, rather than replacing the current speaker with another Swapo member. He proposes constitutional and electoral amendments to allow thorough screening of candidates and a rotation system where the speaker and deputy speaker would come from opposing political sides.
3 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Opposition leaders say Namibia should expand its national honours criteria to recognise contributions of ordinary citizens and diverse leaders beyond those from the liberation struggle, 36 years after independence.
30 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The National Democratic Party has expelled three senior members who publicly questioned the party's handling of finances and accused NDP leader Martin Lukato of mismanagement.
27 August 2026 · Namibian Sun →
The National Democratic Party has dismissed secretary general Alex Linyando, regional coordinator Allen Mwilima, and presidential affairs manager Obrien Lisulo following their public accusations that party president Martin Lukato runs the party as a one-man operation, misuses funds, and creates a hostile environment for dissenting members. NDP deputy president David Mwilima rejected the allegations as false and intended to tarnish the party's reputation.
25 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The National Democratic Party has renewed calls for clarity on the outcome of the 2024 Delimitation Commission, saying Namibians who participated in consultations deserve to know what became of their recommendations. NDP leader Martin Lukato said the party received a response from the Presidency following a petition submitted to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
17 August 2026 · New Era →
The Independent Patriots for Change support calls by the Institute for Public Policy Research to extend Parliament's sitting hours and days to address the backlog of bills, while the National Democratic Party rejects the proposal. IPC previously tabled a motion to have the National Assembly sit Monday to Friday, which was rejected by Swapo, and argues that systemic parliamentary changes beyond just extended hours are needed.
30 July 2026 · New Era →
Opposition parties oppose Gerson Sindano's nomination to chair the Electoral Commission of Namibia, citing his past role as personal assistant to a Swapo official and his current Swapo membership as undermining the commission's independence ahead of the 2030 elections. The National Democratic Party president says he would only support Sindano if he publicly renounced his Swapo membership.
15 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Members of Parliament have challenged the incoming Anti-Corruption Commission leadership to demonstrate independence and impartiality, with lawmakers warning that the institution's credibility depends on investigating corruption without fear or favour. Swapo MP Tobie Aupindi criticized the outgoing ACC leadership and alleged the commission had been weaponized to settle political scores and applied investigations selectively.
14 July 2026 · New Era →
The National Assembly unanimously approved Bryan Eiseb as director general of the Anti-Corruption Commission while lawmakers across parties warned the institution must pursue corruption without political interference and shed its reputation for allowing politically connected cases to go unpunished.
13 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
An opinion piece argues the contradiction in Namibian law: 16-year-olds are allowed to become parents and enter relationships, yet must wait until 18 to vote. The author contends that if maturity is the standard, the current voting age threshold is arbitrary, particularly since young people are most affected by policies on education, healthcare, and employment.
25 April 2026 · Namibian Sun →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and leaders from across Namibia's political spectrum paid tribute to former Otjozondjupa governor and Swapo MP James Uerikua at a Wednesday memorial service, celebrating his legacy as a bridge-builder who commanded respect across party lines. Uerikua, who died in a car accident on 3 April along with his 14-year-old son Venturo, was praised for his dedication to inclusive development and democratic dialogue.
17 April 2026 · New Era →
Members of parliament have expressed concern over the continued underfunding of the agriculture ministry, with lawmakers warning that declining allocations for land distribution, drought support, and veterinary services risk compromising national food security and employment. The ministry received N$1.8 billion for the current financial year, with over N$1.4 billion allocated to operations and over N$300 million to development.
14 April 2026 · The Namibian →
The National Assembly adjourned on Tuesday following the death of Swapo parliamentarian James Uerikua, who died on Friday. The Speaker announced the adjournment after consultation with party chief whips, and President Nandi-Ndaitwah visited Uerikua's family.
8 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Parliament members say the National Assembly's budget allocation of N$410.7 million for 2026/27 is inadequate, with only 1% allocated to development and 19% to core NA activities. MPs warn the underfunding threatens the institution's capacity for lawmaking and public outreach.
28 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Political leaders including National Democratic Party chief Martin Lukato are blaming past corruption and poor planning for Impalila and Kasika islands' continued illegal use of Botswana pula 36 years after Namibia's independence, and are calling for government action to build a delayed bridge linking the islands and addressing transport challenges in the flood-prone region.
24 March 2026 · The Namibian →
National Democratic Party leader Martin Lukato has criticised the government's 2026/2027 budget for failing to fulfil President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's promise to increase senior citizens' monthly old-age pensions from N$1,600 to N$3,000, noting that the budget contains only a N$100 increase and citing instead a shift in priorities toward youth development.
19 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Landless People's Movement leader Bernardus Swartbooi has called on the government to consider exporting labour to address Namibia's 36.9% unemployment rate, citing examples from Kenya, Uganda and Ghana that place workers in Gulf Cooperation Council states. He criticised the government's emphasis on education without corresponding job creation and argued that investment in productive sectors like agriculture and energy should be prioritised over social spending.
16 March 2026 · New Era →
The National Democratic Party held a recognition ceremony in Katima Mulilo to honour 25 members for their contributions to the party's performance in the 2024 national elections and 2025 regional and local elections. Party president Martin Lukato praised their dedication and commitment to advancing the party's mission of economic emancipation, job creation, and youth empowerment.
4 March 2026 · New Era →
The National Democratic Party held a recognition ceremony to honour 25 members for their contributions to the party's performance in the 2024 presidential and National Assembly elections, where it secured one National Assembly seat, and the 2025 regional and local elections, where it won seats on the Bukalo Village Council and Katima Mulilo Town Council.
2 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The African Labour and Human Rights Centre accuses the government of failing to enforce existing rental laws under the Rental Ordinance No 13 of 1977, leaving tenants vulnerable to exploitation. The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development is drafting a new bill and reviving a rent control board, but the Centre's director argues the government should immediately enforce the laws already in place while rental prices surge in urban areas.
24 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Environment Minister Indileni Daniel said the president will not be issuing petroleum licences, contrary to opposition claims, as this is an administrative duty. The amendment bill to place the petroleum sector under the Presidency requires oversight by the highest executive level for strategic national resources, though opposition parliamentarians dispute the move on constitutional and accountability grounds.
21 February 2026 · The Namibian →
The Petroleum Amendment Bill, which would vest petroleum sector oversight powers in the Office of the President rather than the Ministry of Mines and Energy, faced mixed scrutiny in the National Assembly. Critics including Bernadus Swartbooi raised concerns about the legal doctrine of functus officio limiting presidential review powers and complicating court challenges, while others questioned whether oil advisors at State House are already performing duties that legally belong to the ministry.
19 February 2026 · New Era →
Popular Democratic Movement leader McHenry Venaani has called on President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to recall parliament early to address youth unemployment and other national issues, but lawmakers are divided on the proposal, with some opposing it as a breach of agreed standing rules while others support early resumption to hold government accountable.
20 January 2026 · The Namibian →