ONGWEDIVA - An elderly woman, who was born in Angola, has expressed her frustration of not being recognised as a Namibian citizen, despite spending most of her life here and having children who are Namibian.

Frondina Mweshilongo (83), residing in Okashana Kiingo village in the Oshikoto told this publication that she came to Namibia in 1976 from Angola and was married to a Namibian, who died in 2000. Last week, when New Era visited her homestead, Mweshilongo said she has children with her late husband, and added that both of her children have Namibian nationality.

“I am suffering because I don’t receive pension from the government. I am just in my homestead with my two children, who do not work, and 12 grandchildren,” she lamented.

She said she is not happy that she does not receive a pension.  “Imagine, 47 years in Namibia but I didn’t get a national document yet. I tried several times going to the home affairs offices, seeking national documents, but I never got assistance until I gave up,” she stressed. Mweshilongo said wherever she goes to the Home Affairs offices in Oshikoto, people told her that she is not a Namibian and, therefore, she will not obtain Namibian citizenship. 

Meanwhile, Mweshilongo added that she has been battling with high blood pressure for the past 10 years because she always gets depressed due to her situation. “It is unfair. I am also married to a Namibian just like other people,” she lamented.

Maria Gabriel said their mother is suffering from depression because she does not sleep at night and sometimes talks to herself.

“We took her to the social workers for counselling. We are also not happy that our mother does not receive pension,” she said.

Approached for comment, the deputy minister of the ministry for Home Affairs, Safety and Immigration Daniel Kashikola said his office will look at this matter as soon as possible.

He added that Mweshilongo deserves Namibian citizenship because she has been in Namibia for so long, unless something is being hidden regarding this matter. “I am going to contact their constituency councillor if he is aware of her matter. I will also get in touch with the headman and see how we can assist her,” Kashikola said. - fhamalwa@nepc.com.na