Auleria Wakudumo
Adolf Kaure
Pensioners across Namibia have expressed mixed feelings after the Minister of Finance, Ericah Shafudah, announced a N$100 increase in the old-age pension grant.
The announcement means that pensioners will now receive N$1 700 per month. While some elderly citizens welcomed the increase and said they understand the government’s priorities, others believe the amount is too small considering the high cost of living.
Tresia Aron, a 70-year-old resident of Onanghulo village in the Ohangwena region, said she believes the government may have decided to add a small amount because it wants to focus on the youth. “I understand because we have been complaining for a long time about our children sitting at home with qualifications but without jobs. I think the government wants to solve this problem,” she said.
Aron added that if the government manages to create more jobs for young people, it will also help pensioners. According to her, many elderly people live with their children and grandchildren, and employed family members could assist with household expenses. “If the youth get jobs, they will help us with paying water bills, electricity and buying food. Then we will not depend only on pension money,” she explained.
Paulus Nangolo (63) from Ondangwa also said he remembers when the president asked pensioners to be patient while the government works to address other challenges facing the country.
“I have observed that many pensioners live with their grandchildren, who benefit from the pension money. It is better if the government gives jobs to the youth so that they can support their families instead of depending on pensioners,” he noted.
Nangolo believes people should judge the situation fairly and consider what the government is trying to achieve. He pointed to the implementation of free education as one of the major programmes that requires government funding.
However, not all pensioners share the same view.
Ndilimeke Nandjila, a 65-year-old pensioner from Ongwediva, said she first heard the news of the increase on the radio.
“When I heard that the pension will increase, I was very happy. But my happiness was cut short when I heard that it is only N$100,” she said. Another pensioner, Velesmina Katangolo from Oshinyadhila village in the Oshana region, said the pension grant supports her entire household.
“I stay with my seven young grandchildren and other family members. Most of the time the money is not enough, and I find myself in debt,” she stated.
Katangolo explained that even the N$100 increase will not make a big difference in her household.
“The extra N$100 is not even enough to buy a box of fish that can last us the whole month as relish,” she said.
Justina Nghuulikwa (75) also believes the pension should be increased more significantly. She said the government should fulfil the promise once mentioned by the late president Hage Geingob to raise the pension to N$3 000.
“I think he said that because he understood that the cost of living is high,” she said. Nghuulikwa added that pensioners face many expenses besides food.
Swanu
Meanwhile, Namibia’s oldest political formation, Swanu, also entered the debate.
Its chairperson, Uno Hengari, said the increase in the pension grant increment does nothing to restore dignity or reduce poverty.
Hengari said the “government cannot claim to be fighting poverty and allocate a mere N$100 increment for poverty eradication.”
“We cannot speak about money; we must speak and talk about dignity, social justice and our national moral responsibility towards our senior citizens who fought for this country. They are the workers, parents and builders of our nation,” he said.
Swanu, Hengari said, is calling on the government to increase the allowance to N$3 000 per month, as it was promised by the current president during the last election campaign.
Hengari went on to say, “The Namibian economy is suffering from the high unemployment rate, and in many households, the old age allowance is the only stable income. Grandparents are feeding the unemployed and caring for orphaned grandchildren. It is a proven fact that the pension allowance is not just supporting one individual but is sustainable for the whole community.”
He further stated that there should be no excuses for there being no money to increase the pension grant and that Members of Parliament and politicians should freeze their own proposed salary increment to cater for the pension grant to be adjusted to N$3 000.
Elder
Member of the Swanu Women’s League, Else Kavendjii (69), said the pension grant is not enough, as they take care of entire households.
“We are looking after our grandchildren, and we pay for our houses. The youth don’t have jobs, so they stick to us, and the N$100 increment will not do anything. There is no accountability for the elders,” said Kavendjii.
Another member of the Swanu Elders’ Council, Christop Kamungu (74), said that he was taken by surprise that the government did not fulfil their promise of increasing the pension fund to N$3000 as promised by the ruling party, Swapo, during their 2024 National Assembly and Presidential Elections campaign.
“When Namibia gained independence, we were given many promises, like housing, but today we are in trouble. What does it help to be given empty promises while those who make these promises never deliver on what they say?” he said.