Swapo member of parliament Elifas Dingara on Tuesday tabled a motion in the Namibian National Assembly, proposing that every Namibian be given N$1 million to enhance their livelihoods and promote dignity without discrimination.
While most Namibians are laughing at the outlandish motion, his reasons for wanting relief for taxpayers are sound.
One million dollars per citizen might be a little over the top, though, considering the levels of financial literacy and what it would cost.
However, the concept of a basic income grant has gained considerable attention in recent years, with proponents advocating for its implementation as a means to address social and economic inequalities. Dingara rightly emphasises the social and economic conditions faced by the majority of Namibians.
In a nation where underdevelopment, multidimensional poverty and social deprivation persist, urgent attention is required. By providing a basic income grant, the government can take significant steps towards alleviating these challenges.
The grant would empower individuals to address their immediate needs, such as access to quality healthcare, education, decent shelter and employment opportunities.
In January 2008, the basic income grant pilot project commenced in the Otjivero-Omitara area, about 100 kilometres east of Windhoek. All residents below the age of 60 years receive N$100 per person per month, without any conditions being attached. The results were overwhelmingly positive.
From April 2022, the recipients of government’s food bank started receiving N$500 per month, instead of food parcels. This shows government has finally come around to years of agitation by a small group of Namibians.
No Namibian should ever sleep hungry.
The country is blessed with abundant natural resources. This fact offers a unique opportunity to finance a basic income grant. As stated in Article 100 of the Namibian Constitution, these resources belong to the State and should be managed and distributed in an equitable manner.
By effectively harnessing and utilising natural resources, the government can generate the financial resources necessary to provide each Namibian with a monthly grant.
Even a N$1 000 monthly grant over a 60-year period (N$720 000) does not reach the N$1 million that the honourable MP suggests as a once-off payment.
A monthly grant would not just help the very poor but also the working poor, who have been through extremely tough times in recent years. The ultimate objective of a basic income grant is to promote the inherent dignity of all Namibians, irrespective of their social or economic status.
By providing a significant sum of money to every citizen, the government sends a powerful message that acknowledges their worth and importance.
This grant would ensure that individuals have the means to meet their basic needs and pursue a better quality of life. It would empower them to make choices and decisions that align with their aspirations and enable them to break free from the cycle of poverty.
A basic income grant has the potential to eliminate many societal ills within a short period of time. By addressing economic disparities and offering individuals the means to improve their lives, the grant can serve as a catalyst for positive change.
With enhanced access to resources, citizens can invest in entrepreneurship, education and skill development, fostering economic growth.
Moreover, the grant would contribute to social cohesion, as individuals would experience a newfound sense of security and dignity. By acknowledging the social and economic challenges faced by its citizens and utilising its natural resources, the government can provide a substantial financial boost to every Namibian.
It has the potential to enhance the quality of life, promote equality, and eliminate many societal problems. It would empower individuals to shape their destinies and contribute to the overall progress of the nation.
It is crucial to recognise the transformative potential of a basic income grant and work towards realising a more equitable and prosperous Namibia for all its citizens.
The stimulus provided by such a grant would do more for the Namibian people than 30 years of failed trickle-down economics.
Closing the gap – that is financial inequality – would be the first step to making a meaningful effort to end inequality in this country as it persists across racial, class, gender and tribal lines.