Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Lugeretzia Kooper
Published on 2024-03-13 17:00:00
Family of 14 Relies on Social Grant of N$1,400
Pensioner Alfred Matomola (67) shares the financial struggles he faces in supporting his household of 14 members with a monthly old-age grant of N$1,400. Matomola’s expenses include rent, electricity, and providing food and essential items for his wife, five daughters, and seven grandchildren. After paying N$800 for rent, he is left with N$600 to feed the entire family for a month. Matomola expresses his concerns over the rising cost of food and the inadequacy of the grant to sustain his large family.
The recent announcement of a N$200 increase in the old-age pension has left Matomola and others feeling disappointed. He reflects on former President Hage Geingob’s proposal for a N$3,000 increment, which was not fulfilled. Minister of finance and public enterprises Iipumbu Shiimi’s decision to only raise the pension by N$200 falls short of addressing the financial needs of pensioners like Matomola.
Liezel Koopman, a 25-year-old living with her 79-year-old mother, Katrina Koopman, in Keetmanshoop, narrates their struggles as a family of 10 living in a two-bedroom shack without basic amenities. Katrina’s pension covers their rent and food expenses, leaving them with no extra funds for emergencies. The Koopmans, like many others, face the constant threat of eviction due to their inability to meet their financial obligations.
Petrus Sheehama, a 72-year-old man supporting his unemployed children and grandchildren, questions the government’s decision to overlook the financial challenges faced by pensioners. Despite living in a two-bedroom house, Sheehama accommodates additional family members in makeshift shacks, further straining his limited resources. The stories of pensioners in Walvis Bay and Khorixas echo similar sentiments of financial hardship and unmet needs.
While some pensioners, like Theresia !Ganes from Outjo, are optimistic about the potential for future pension increases, others like Julia Maemeko feel let down by the government’s failure to deliver on promises of higher grants. Opposition party leaders criticize the insufficient N$200 increment, emphasizing the dire circumstances faced by pensioners and their families.
The challenges faced by pensioners in Namibia highlight the urgent need for comprehensive support and financial relief. The stories of Matomola, the Koopmans, and others shed light on the harsh reality of living on a fixed income in a country grappling with economic hardships and rising living costs. As pensioners continue to navigate these challenges, there is a growing call for greater government intervention to address the financial needs of the elderly and vulnerable populations in Namibia.
Read the original article on The Namibian
