Lahja Nashuuta
While the focus of most Namibians was on Omuthiya, where the commemoration of Heroes’ Day was taking place, a fraction took to the streets to push for the implementation of the universal basic income grant (BIG).
Accepting the petition from protestors yesterday, the acting executive director in the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare, Nichlas Mbingeneeko, said the government remains committed, and there is a political will to implement a proposed universal BIG, labelling it as a “State priority”.
He received the petition from the National Basic Income Grant Coalition.
“It is just a matter of time.
When the minister received your petition in June 2024, she consulted and informed the Head of State on the matter. The consultations are underway between the ministry and various stakeholders to establish a methodology and sustainability of the grant,” he assured.
The National Basic Income Grant Coalition held peaceful protests countrywide yesterday, calling for the government to speed for the implementation of a BIG of N$500 per person per month for all Namibians aged 0-59.
The protests, however, were marked by poor attendance, with only less than 40 people attending the Khomas protest in the capital.
The trend was replicated in Kavango East, Kavango West, Oshikoto, Zambezi, Erongo and Omaheke regions.
In some regions, the protests could not be held, as nobody showed up.
Nafimane Hamukoshi, a BIG proponent, argued that Namibia can afford to pay out the universal grants due to its opulence.
“The economic divide has widened, and we struggle to meet basic human needs and are without decent housing, clean water and sanitation as well as decent salaries,” he said.