GOBABIS: Omaheke Regional Governor Laura McLeod-Katjirua has urged traditional and religious authorities to throw their weight behind Government and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in educating their respective communities on the Namibian Constitution.
In a speech delivered on her behalf by her special advisor, Pio Nganate, McLeod-Katjirua said it is imperative that traditional and religious authorities re-organise themselves to educate the community on the Constitution, as they are more in sync with the needs of the communities they serve.
McLeod-Katjirua made the remarks in a keynote address statement during the opening of a training workshop on ‘Aspects of the Namibian Constitution’ at Leonardville in the Omaheke Region on Monday.
The Governor applauded the work of Women’s Action for Development (WAD), which organised the training workshop in Constitution matters, urging other organizations to follow suit.
“We must be united behind the Constitution in order to be effective, legitimate actors in the interlocking network of communication to take our country to greater heights. I am confident that the more we equip ourselves with this living guiding document, the more we will create a conducive environment to develop policies and acts which will support our constitution,” she said.
The governor was however also quick to point out that having a Constitution that is hailed as one of the best in the world is not good enough, as Namibians should know its content and should be able to tell when their rights are being violated.
She also used the platform to call on Namibian males to respect and acknowledge the rights of their female counterparts; as such rights are basic in nature and are not privileges.
“Our country has demonstrated to the world that it was not about finalising the constitution, neither to gain independence only, but we continue to respect, uphold and protect this living document by adherence to the letter and spirit,” she noted.
The training covers education on fundamental human rights and freedoms, principles of State policy and the administration of justice, amongst other things.