• By Stefanus Nashama

A heated verbal exchange erupted in the National Assembly on Tuesday between Swapo parliamentarian Ephraim Nekongo and Affirmative Repositioning’s George Kambala, sparking public debate on the conduct of parliamentarians.

The confrontation peaked during Parliament session when Kambala told Nekongo that Parliament was “not your house,” prompting Nekongo to retort, “This is not your mother’s house.”

Despite the sharp words, Nekongo told Confidente on Wednesday that he harbours no personal animosity towards Kambala.

“I have no personal issue with Kambala at all. We can still have a cup of coffee together. Those are just Parliament dynamics and they remain as such,” he said. Nekongo explained that he was contributing to a vote in the house when Kambala interjected with his remarks. In response, and in the heat of the moment, Nekongo said he retaliated with his now widely quoted statement. “We are human beings, and we can also lose ourselves at some points due to some circumstances, but we remain concrete to do Parliament work,” he added.

He also rejected suggestions that his response indicated weakness or fear. “We are not cowards, we have our own stamina. We can agree to disagree. People take this differently, but it remains part of debate,” Nekongo said. Nekongo said he took note of public advice that as parliamentarian, he could’t responded that way. Kambala echoed similar sentiments, dismissing the incident as part of normal parliamentary discourse.

“No, my brother, those are just Parliament tricks. There is no issue between us,” he stated. Both politician previously served in the
Swapo Party Youth League and are known to have a long standing political association. Political analyst Sakaria Johannes criticised the exchange, calling it “inappropriate and immature politics.”

He noted that Parliament, as a public institution, sets an example for the nation, including its youth. He urged MPs to uphold decorum. “We have kids who are watching Parliament, what lesson they can learn from such acts?” he asked. Johannes emphasised that invoking insults involving family members is contrary to African values.

“I think politicians are forgetting African culture. We do not insult each other with parents; it is not our culture,” he said.

He also referenced past incidents, such as former President Hage Geingob’s remark to Bernadus Swartbooi, “I am older than your mother,” as an indication that this issue is not new.

The analyst called on parliamentary speakers to introduce concrete measures to prevent personal insults in the chamber. “Leaders are there to make laws, not to insult each other,” he stated.