Namibia is an African country located on the shores of the Atlantic ocean, sharing a border with Zambia, Angola, Botswana, South Africa. The population of this country is approx 27,77,232 with 8,25,615 square kilometers area. The official language is English, as well as nationally recognized Afrikaans, German, Otjiherero, Khoekhoegowab, Oshiwambo, RuKwangali, Setswana, siLozi languages. Ethnically the Ovambo is a little less than half, with numerous ethnic communities. Religiously 87% are Christian, and almost all of the rest follow traditional religions.
If a person has been convicted of an offense and for which he or she or zee has been sentenced to imprisonment for more than one year, and is not subsequently pardoned, or ten years have not elapsed after his or her or zer release from prison - he or she or zee cannot be a Member of Parliament.
Admirable Articles of Namibia's Constitution
Article 8. Respect for Human Dignity
1.
● The dignity of all persons shall be inviolable.
2
● In any judicial proceedings or in other proceedings before any organ of the State, and during the enforcement of a penalty, respect for human dignity shall be guaranteed.
● No persons shall be subject to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Article 9. Slavery and Forced Labour (Part of it)
1. No persons shall be held in slavery or servitude.
2. No persons shall be required to perform forced labour.
3. For the purposes of this Article, the expression "forced labour" shall not include:
a. any labour required in consequence of a sentence or order of a Court;
b. any labour required of persons while lawfully detained which, though not required in consequence of a sentence or order of a Court, is reasonably necessary in the interests of hygiene;
c. any labour required of members of the defence force, the police force and the correctional service in pursuance of their duties as such or, in the case of persons who have conscientious objections to serving as members of the defence force, any labour which they are required by law to perform in place of such service;
d. any labour required during any period of public emergency or in the event of any other emergency or calamity which threatens the life and well-being of the community, to the extent that requiring such labour is reasonably justifiable in the circumstances of any situation arising or existing during that period or as a result of that other emergency or calamity, for the purpose of dealing with that situation;
Article 10. Equality and Freedom from Discrimination
1. All persons shall be equal before the law.
2. No persons may be discriminated against on the grounds of sex, race, colour, ethnic origin, religion, creed or social or economic status.
Article 14. Family
1. Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality, religion, creed or social or economic status shall have the right to marry and to found a family. They shall be entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.
2. Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
3. The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.
Article 19. Culture
Every person shall be entitled to enjoy, practice, profess, maintain and promote any culture, language, tradition or religion subject to the terms of this Constitution and further subject to the condition that the rights protected by this Article do not impinge upon the rights of others or the national interest.
Article 41. Ministerial Accountability
All Ministers shall be accountable individually for the administration of their own Ministries and collectively for the administration of the work of the Cabinet, both to the President and to Parliament.
Article 47. Disqualification of Members (Part of it)
1. No persons may become members of the National Assembly if they:
○ have at any time after Independence been convicted of any offence in Namibia, or outside Namibia if such conduct would have constituted an offence within Namibia, and for which they have been sentenced to death or to imprisonment of more than twelve (12) months without the option of a fine, unless they have received a free pardon or unless such imprisonment has expired at least ten (10) years before the date of their election; or
○ are unrehabilitated insolvents; or
○ are of unsound mind and have been so declared by a competent Court: or
○ are remunerated members of the public service of Namibia; or
○ are members of the National Council, Regional Councils or Local Authorities.
Article 58. Conduct of Business after Dissolution
Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 57 hereof:
A. every person who at the date of its dissolution was a member of the National Assembly shall remain a member of the National Assembly and remain competent to perform the functions of a member until the day immediately preceding the first polling day for the election held in pursuance of such dissolution;
B. the President shall have power to summon Parliament for the conduct of business during the period following such dissolution, up to and including the day immediately preceding the first polling day for the election held in pursuance of such dissolution, in the same manner and in all respects as if the dissolution had not occurred.
Facts of Namibia's Constitution
Article 30. Oath or Affirmation
Before formally assuming office, a President-elect shall make the following oath or affirmation which shall be administered by the Chief Justice, the Deputy-Chief Justice or a Judge designated by the Chief Justice for this purpose:
"I, .................................... do hereby swear/solemnly affirm,
That I will strive to the best of my ability to uphold, protect and defend as the Supreme Law the Constitution of the Republic of Namibia, and faithfully to obey, execute and administer the laws of the Republic of Namibia;
That I will protect the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and the material and spiritual resources of the Republic of Namibia; and
That I will endeavour to the best of my ability to ensure justice for all the inhabitants of the Republic of Namibia.
(in the case of an oath)
So help me God."
