Also known as: then prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila · National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila · Dr Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila · Hon. Dr Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila · Kuugongelwa – Amadhila · Speaker Kuugongelwa-Amadhila · Speaker of the National Assembly Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila · Prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila · speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila
Speaker of the National Assembly, presiding over parliamentary proceedings and engaging in domestic and international diplomatic outreach.
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February 2026
New Era
National Assembly Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhilasaysthe Namibian Constitution stands as a proud testament of collective resolve to build an inclusive, democratic society
Source
“National Assembly Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila says the Namibian Constitution stands head and shoulders above all else as a proud testament of Namibians' collective resolve to build an inclusive, democratic and just society.”
National Assembly Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhilaacknowledgedpotential of AI to enhance parliamentary efficiency, transparency and inclusivity across SADC Region
Source
“In a report released recently, National Assembly Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila acknowledged the potential of AI to enhance parliamentary efficiency, transparency and inclusivity across the Southern African Development Community Region.”
National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhilaannouncedthat Alpheus !Naruseb is the new Swapo chief whip
Source
“National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila announced during a parliamentary session that former works and transport minister Alpheus !Naruseb is the new Swapo chief whip.”
National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhilaannouncedthe change in chief whip
Source
“National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila on Wednesday announced that the party has changed its chief whip, a position previously held by Uahekua Herunga.”
An unknown person posing as a police chief inspector from Kongola in the Zambezi region allegedly defrauded former home affairs minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana of N$200,000 on 8 July while she was at home. The case is under investigation and has been forwarded to commercial crime.
An unknown person posing as a police chief inspector from Kongola in the Zambezi region allegedly defrauded former home affairs minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana of N$200,000 on 8 July while she was at home. The case is under investigation and has been forwarded to commercial crime.
The parliament, the National Planning Commission and the European Union have concluded a six-year Enhancing Participatory Democracy in Namibia programme, which invested €6 million (about N$127 million) in strengthening democratic governance, parliamentary oversight and citizen participation since August 2020.
Several opposition parties are refusing to approve Gerson Sindano's appointment as Electoral Commission of Namibia chairperson until parliament provides all documentation on his nomination, including interview minutes and selection committee recommendations. Opposition leaders also raised concerns that Sindano's previous role as a personal assistant to Swapo's secretary general could undermine the commission's independence.
The Electoral Commission of Namibia leadership appointments have sparked a constitutional debate over Parliament's oversight powers. Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda demanded postponement of the vote on the President's ECN nominees until lawmakers are provided with recruitment, interview, and selection committee records, arguing MPs cannot exercise informed judgment without them.
Parliamentary leader Job Amupanda has filed an urgent High Court application to stop the National Assembly from approving Electoral Commission of Namibia nominees, arguing that lawmakers lack access to key selection documents needed for informed decision-making. He is demanding disclosure of interview minutes, scoresheets, the selection committee's recommendation, and the President's nomination, claiming the lack of records prevents lawmakers from exercising constitutional oversight.
The Office of the Speaker has rejected claims that National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila is responsible for a growing backlog of unanswered parliamentary questions, stating the delays lie with the executive. Of 550 National Assembly questions tabled since the eighth parliament began, 166 have been disposed of and one was withdrawn for a ministerial statement.
National Assembly Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila visited David Sheehama Senior Secondary School in Outapi, Omusati region, as part of an outreach effort to learners.
The IPC's shadow minister of defence Aloisius Kangulu says Defence Minister Frans Kapofi sidestepped an urgent parliamentary question calling for direct intervention with liberation struggle veterans protesting outside Swapo Party headquarters, instead providing an explanation of veterans' benefits. Kangulu clarified that the question centred on why Kapofi had not personally visited the veterans, and that receiving statutory benefits does not address their broader demands for justice and dignity.
The national assembly adjourned Wednesday after opposition parliamentarians clashed with speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila over her authorisation of the finance minister to speak on behalf of the prime minister. The editorial argues that repeated parliamentary disruptions reflect a failure of political leadership across parties and have prevented debate on critical legislation, including the petroleum bill.
Opposition parliamentarians from the PDM, AR, and IPC challenged speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila on Wednesday over the manner in which she was conducting proceedings, with members arguing she was dismissing points of order without allowing them to be heard. The confrontation erupted after finance minister Ericah Shafudah was authorised to table and read a debate speech on behalf of prime minister Elijah Ngurare, a move strongly opposed by opposition parties.
Speaker of the National Assembly Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila visited the Beyond Barriers Pediatric Centre in Swakopmund and commended its work supporting children with developmental and special needs, calling for stronger inclusive healthcare and community responsibility alongside government efforts.
National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila has urged media organisations to report fairly on women in leadership positions, saying coverage often focuses on controversy and personal conduct rather than their work and achievements. She argues this imbalanced reporting erodes public confidence in women leaders and discourages women from participating in public life.
Speaker of the National Assembly Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila called on media institutions to improve coverage of women in leadership positions, saying disproportionate focus on controversy and personal conduct over professional achievements erodes public confidence in women leaders and discourages their participation in public life.
Parliament was adjourned early on Wednesday after chaotic scenes erupted in the National Assembly, with the Speaker struggling to maintain order during heated exchanges between MPs over speaking procedures and points of order. The Speaker reminded members that parliamentary rules must be followed and warned that continued disruptions could not be allowed to derail proceedings.
The Independent Patriots for Change has accused the government of monopolistic tendencies after the Minister of Mines and Energy announced Vitol Bahrain E.C. as Namibia's sole supplier of bulk petroleum products from July to September 2026. The three-month deal is expected to save the country about N$1 billion, though the Namibian Competition Commission earlier found Vitol controlled an estimated 75% to 85% of the intra-wholesale fuel market.
Benjamin Hauwanga and Simeon Nghinananye have settled a defamation case in which Hauwanga sued Nghinananye for N$500 000. Under the settlement made an order of the Windhoek High Court, Nghinananye agreed to publicly apologise and retract allegations, while Hauwanga withdrew his claim and waived legal costs; Nghinananye must pay N$200 000 if he repeats the defamatory allegations within five years.
National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila on Wednesday emphasised the need to deepen Namibia-China cooperation during a visit by a Chinese parliamentary delegation headed by Zhu Yongxin, vice chairperson of China's national committee of the People's Political Consultative Conference. Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said Namibia seeks to build on its longstanding relationship with China to advance mutual development, economic growth and prosperity for both nations.
National Assembly Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said that while commemorating Namibia's 1904–1908 genocide is necessary, the country must remain committed to addressing unresolved questions of recognition and reparation. She stressed that the 2021 joint declaration with Germany represented progress, but Namibia's concerns must be fully reflected in its implementation to achieve true justice and reconciliation.
National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said Namibia's Genocide Remembrance Day commemorates the systematic killing of Ovaherero and Nama people by German colonial forces between 1904 and 1908, and stressed that remembrance alone is insufficient—addressing unresolved recognition and reparations issues remains necessary, despite the 2021 Joint Declaration between Namibia and Germany.
National Assembly Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila has called on parliaments across Southern Africa to expand financial oversight beyond central governments to include pension funds.
Namibia has been ranked Africa's most gender-equal country and the only African nation in the global top 10, with an overall gender gap closed by over 81.1%. The country's achievement is attributed to progressive policies and institutional reforms, including being the first globally where women hold the top three government positions: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Vice President Lucia Witbooi, and National Assembly Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will address the main Cassinga Day commemoration in Olukekete village in the Omusati Region, alongside National Assembly Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila and other dignitaries. The event honours Namibians killed on 4 May 1978, when the South African Defence Force attacked a SWAPO base at Cassinga in southern Angola.
Finance Minister Ericah Shafudah criticised prolonged parliamentary deliberations that yield little substantive progress, saying nearly two hours were spent on procedural matters without reaching decisions. Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila acknowledged the concern but held that adjournment rules must be enforced.
The Supreme Court found that former prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila acted lawfully under the Public Service Act when she blocked the appointment of Phelem Masule as the Anti-Corruption Commission's chief of investigations and prosecutions in July 2020. Although the court found the High Court erred in setting aside her decision, it dismissed the government's appeal after determining the appellants failed to rely on the correct section of the Act in their appeal.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah honoured founding National Assembly Speaker Mose Tjitendero at his 20th death commemoration at Heroes Acre, calling on Namibians to defend and strengthen democracy by following Tjitendero's legacy of transparency, inclusivity, accountability and the rule of law in building Parliament after independence.
National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila paid tribute to founding speaker Mosé Tjitendero during the marking of his 20th death anniversary, describing him as a principled leader who presided over parliamentary debates without fear or favour and established impartiality of the chair as a democratic norm.
National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila has clarified that MPs are not automatically entitled to leave of absence and that requests can be declined under Standing Rule 76. She stressed that leave is typically granted only for illness, bereavement of close family, official committee duties, or parliamentary travel, and must be formally submitted with reasons and approval from party chief whips.
Namibia has launched a national solidarity campaign backing Cuba and calling for an end to the United States' longstanding blockade, with National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila stating that parliament stands united across political parties on the issue and describing the embargo as a violation of international law and sovereignty.
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.