By: Justicia Shipena

Newly sworn-in PDM members of parliament say there is no bad blood within the party amongst its members.

This comes after the National Assembly on Monday swore in Charmaine Tjirare, Yvette Araes, Tjekupe Maximalliant Katjimune, Raymond Diergaardt, Mike Venaani and Hamata Lukas Nghidipohamba who replaced Frans Bertolini after he opted out of his seat to parliament.

Their swearing-in was birthed from the ruling of the Supreme Court ruling last week.

As the youngest of the six, Katjimune says that PDM is a mature party with a high level of emotional intelligence.

“This was already demonstrated when the judgement came. The party was of the view that, yes, they may have been some disagreements here and there, but fundamentally we are all members of the party,” he said.

He added that it does not matter who is representing the party.

“If you put them on that list, it means you were of the view that all of them can serve on platforms such as the National Assembly,” he said.

Katjimune said they disagreed on a few things, but now they are moving forward as members of PDM.

“There is no bad blood between the party and me. All is good. We are of the view that the work for 2024 starts now, and really, there is no bad blood, to be honest.”

Touching on the issues he would like to address in the National Assembly, he expressed that his approach in parliament will be based on a two-legged system.

“Firstly, it will be to continue contributing to the motions already on the floor for the PDM parliamentary focus. The issue of youth unemployment is vital, and fellow Hon member Inna Hengari tabled that. I will be very active in pushing through those motions on the house floor,” he explained.

He added that he would also address issues related to several dynamics affecting the youth.

“Firstly, youth unemployment must be receiving tension from the house. It is quite a critical issue that needs major intervention from the house. Issues of mental health of young people and gender-based violence are the issues we will be pushing forth.”

Tjirare, who was one of the members who dragged PDM and the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ENC) to court, says the party relationship would be restored.

She added that the case wasn’t against PDM, and the relationship with the party was never in jeopardy.

“So, we will take on from where we left off and soldier on because we are essentially the same. So just going to pick up where we left off and serve the nation as we possibly can,” she said.

Tjirare hopes to look at the land issue, youth unemployment, and gender-based violence.

 

WHAT THEY BRING TO THE TABLE

While Mike Venaani, father of PDM president McHenry Venaani, says he is there to address unfinished business nationally and not party politics.

“Because I am leaving behind party politics. National issues like community-based management, water and rural development, housing and farming. That is the main issue,” he said.

Venaani, after joining parliament, said he would like to meet the founding President Sam Nujoma and former President Hifikepunye Pohamba.

“To get him to address certain issues of national interest, and I will also meet Dr Pohamba. When he was the SG of the Swapo party, he wrote a letter to my family when I lost my wife. I want a handshake to meet him.”

Returning to parliament, Diergaardt would like to tackle the issue of poverty.

“That is something close to my heart. I don’t think there is a lot of understanding amongst our leaders. Sometimes we tend to become so comfortable in our comfort zone that we forget about the path we have travelled this far,” he adds.

He stated that it is not a new experience for him and is excited for the challenges ahead.

“I have been here before, and I know parliament, and I know the ora of parliament. I feel challenged and humbled and excited about the challenges we have in front of us,” he said.

Nghidipohamba wants to work on corruption and injustice.

Replacing Bertolini, Nghidipohamba could not express how he felt about making it to parliament at the last minute.

“I will have to answer on that one next time, not now. I have my reason behind this,” he told The Villager.

Meanwhile, Araes is concerned about youth empowerment.

“I am super excited but nervous at the time. It is quite a lot of responsibilities. I am sure I can do it. That is why my party brought me to his system,” she said.

 

CONFIDENCE IN NEW MPs

During the swearing-in ceremony, acting PDM chief whip Nico Smit said the United People’s Movement (UPM), as their coalition partner, decided that Bertolini would not take up a seat.

This, according to Smit, was done through an affidavit by Bertolini.

“Bertolini said he was not interested in filling the seat and that Hamata was the next one on the parliamentary list, so he just shifted into his place,” he said.

He stated that there is a good relationship between PDM and the coalition is safe and sound.

“They just informed us that Bertolini will not go in. He withdrew.”

Smit added that he expects the newly sworn-in members of parliament to pull their weight and contribute to parliament.

“I told them before they were sworn in, in a meeting that being a member of parliament is not a walk in the park,” he said.

He said he had confidence that they would be able to do it in this light, and “old dogs” would guide them.

“We will guide them and help them find their feet as soon as possible.”