Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Charlotte Nambadja
Published on 2024-03-04 17:00:00
The government’s decision to increase the monthly grant for pensioners by N$200 has elicited mixed reactions from individuals across the country. While some have welcomed the increase as a step in the right direction, others have expressed disappointment that late President Hage Geingob’s wish for a larger increase to N$3,000 was not considered.
Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi recently announced the increase in the social grant from N$1,400 to N$1,600 in the 2024/25 national budget. This decision was met with gratitude from some pensioners, such as Lucia Swart Kalf, a 70-year-old resident of the Windhoek Babylon informal settlement. Swart Kalf expressed relief that the additional N$200 would help her pay off a cash loan she had taken out following the death of her eldest daughter in 2020. She also shared plans to use the increase to expand her living space and support her family.
However, not all pensioners share the same sentiments. Some, like Saima Kamati and Lisaes Shikale, are disappointed that President Geingob’s vision for larger social grants for pensioners has not been realized. Kamati, an 87-year-old retired domestic worker, expressed concern about the future of the grants and reminisced about past increases under President Geingob’s leadership. Shikale, at 73, voiced skepticism about the N$200 increase amidst high inflation rates and urban survival challenges.
Others, like John Tobias and Monica Shikwambi, highlighted the financial difficulties they face despite the increase in the social grant. Tobias, an 84-year-old pensioner supporting a household of five, emphasized the inadequate coverage of basic necessities such as groceries with the current grant amount. Shikwambi, at 80, expressed dissatisfaction with the increase, citing high living costs and ongoing healthcare expenses as major concerns.
Public policy analyst Graham Hopwood emphasized the importance of public participation in the budgeting process to foster trust and accountability in government decisions. He stressed that public input in budget planning is crucial for enhancing transparency and ensuring that government priorities align with the needs of the population.
Looking ahead, Minister Shiimi estimated that meeting President Geingob’s vision of a N$3,000 grant for pensioners would require a substantial monthly investment of N$720 million. As discussions continue on social welfare policies and budget allocations, the diverse voices and experiences of pensioners in Namibia underscore the complex challenges faced by elderly individuals in navigating financial security and social support systems.
Read the original article on The Namibian
