Windhoek
The Veterans Affairs Ministry in the Office of the Vice President has revealed that 693 veterans of the armed liberation struggle, including dependents, have benefited from the ministry’s educational and training assistance grant programme since it was initiated in 2011.
Veterans Affairs spokesperson Edson Haufiku yesterday said an amount of N$12 million has been allocated for this financial year, which prompted the ministry to place an invitation in the local media in December for veterans and their dependants to apply for such assistance.
The amount, Haufiku said, will accommodate applicants that will be approved for 2016 and those that are still continuing with their studies from 2011 to 2015. Each successful applicant will be granted N$25 000 per year towards their studies.
When it was established in 2011, 123 veterans benefited from the grant; the same number of beneficiaries was also recorded in 2012. In 2013, 301 veterans received educational and training assistance grants, but in 2014 only 22 beneficiaries were recorded, compared to 124 in 2015.
Haufiku said intensive media advertising campaigns, both in the print and broadcast media, have been carried out every year to sensitise veterans and their dependents.
Moreover, he encouraged all veterans and their dependants to regularly visit the head and regional offices to familiarise themselves with the programmes offered by the ministry.
“Veterans Affairs urges the veterans and their dependents to fully utilise this opportunity and not to undermine government’s efforts at providing them with good quality education for the sake of nation building,” Haufiku emphasised.