Africa-Press – Namibia.
The Legal Assistance Centre (LAC) has welcomed the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations’ recent call for public input on law reform, describing it as a vital step toward inclusive governance and participatory democracy.
Toni Hancox, Director of the LAC, praised the initiative, saying it reinforces the principle that those affected by laws should have a voice in shaping them.
“Public participation encourages meaningful input into the decision-making process and is premised on the belief that those who are affected by a decision have the right to be involved in the process,” said Hancox.
She confirmed that the LAC plans to submit recommendations to the Ministry. “We, as the LAC, will be submitting some recommendations, which I’ll be happy to share when the time comes. There are a number of laws we’ve already been advocating around, many of which can be found online,” she added.
Hancox emphasised that the LAC has made multiple submissions in the past, particularly on issues concerning the protection of women, children, and the environment many of which have yet to result in change. Despite this, she described the ministry’s new call as a ‘wonderful initiative’.
However, she noted that participation might prove difficult for members of the general public without support from civil society groups. “It might be a bit challenging for the average person to make use of this opportunity without going through an organisation, or speaking to someone in their community who is equipped to help consolidate these concerns,” she said.
“It doesn’t have to be fancy it just needs to clearly state the issue or the problem. From there, it’s up to lawmakers to take it further. Each community has individuals who can speak on its behalf. That, I believe, is the best way forward at this point,” Hancox said.
The Ministry’s call for submissions follows the maiden State of the Nation Address by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on 24 April 2025. In her speech, the President urged citizens to participate in improving governance by identifying laws that hinder service delivery.
“If there is a law you consider to be a hindrance to service delivery, send your concerns to the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations. Talking to ourselves will not help us. Let our worries be brought to the attention of those with national responsibilities in a more structured manner,” she said.
Executive Director of the ministry, Nghidinua Daniel, indicates that the initiative affirms the ministry’s commitment to inclusive governance, transparency, and people-driven reform.
“This is not merely a procedural exercise it is an opportunity to strengthen public trust in the justice system. Laws must reflect the lived realities, challenges, and aspirations of the citizens they are meant to serve,” he said.
When asked whether the ministry has identified specific laws for review, Daniel said no laws have been pre-selected. “The process has been deliberately opened to the public to allow a broad spectrum of issues to surface,” he said.
He noted that recurring concerns such as access to justice, service delivery, employment and labour relations, child maintenance, and outdated administrative systems are likely to receive attention during the review.
“We encourage those submitting to clearly identify the specific law, article, or clause they believe should be amended or introduced, and to explain the issue it seeks to address,” he advised.
Daniel assured the public that the ministry will treat all submissions with fairness and due consideration. A multidisciplinary team of legal experts, policy advisors, and sectoral representatives will evaluate the inputs, and targeted consultations or stakeholder roundtables may be organised for complex or high-impact proposals.
“We are committed to promoting diversity of thought including voices from rural communities, youth, traditional authorities, and underrepresented groups,” he said.
He adds that “No submission will be advanced solely on popularity or political convenience. Constitutional alignment and national interest will guide the review”.
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