Namibia is a parliamentary democracy with a multi-party system. The country has been governed by the same political party since independence, although opposition parties have won elections at local government levels. There are no restrictions on political speech or participation, and Namibia’s constitution provides for freedom of association and assembly. However these rights are often restricted due to poor law enforcement, intimidation by security forces, and harassment of activists by political opponents or their supporters.
How do you become an MP in Namibia?
- You must be a citizen of Namibia.
- You must be at least 21 years old.
- You must be resident in Namibia.
- You must speak, read, and write English fluently.
- You cannot have been convicted of an offence under the Electoral Act or any other law relating to elections.
How much are MPs paid in Namibia?
- Salary: MPs are paid a salary. Their monthly pay is determined by the Minister of Finance and Ministry of Public Service and Administration, and it’s set at the beginning of each year. The pay always increases with inflation.
- Stipend: besides their salaries, MPs receive a stipend amounting to N$33 000 per month to cover travel expenses, office space and other costs associated with being in parliament.
- Pension: Once an MP has served for two years, they become eligible for a pension upon retirement or resignation (which usually happens after five years).
There is a salary scale for parliamentarians
MPs are paid a salary. The salary is determined by the government, and it’s based on a set scale. This means that all MPs get paid the same amount regardless of their age or number of years served in parliament (although there are perks for serving longer).
The salary for MPs is determined by a government committee called the Parliamentarians Salaries and Allowances Commission (PSAC). The PSAC was established in 2012 and has since made recommendations concerning MPs’ salaries every two years, with the most recent one being published in 2016.
MPs receive this money for doing their job: representing people in parliament. They do not get extra money for any other work they do outside Parliament, such as campaigning during elections or hosting talk shows on TV.