2016-01-19Staff Report 2 Koes Keetmanshoop Rural Constituency Councillor Elias !Kharuxab has urged senior citizens to appreciate government efforts aimed at uplifting their standard of living. He made these remarks while handing food parcels to about 80 elderly people at Koes on Friday. He said government has always valued senior citizens and the role they play in the community, and thus stringent efforts are being made to improve their living conditions. He pointed to the increment of the pension grant from N$600 to N$1000 as one of government’s many efforts to help elderly people. !Kharuxab, however, pleaded with the elders to appreciate government’s efforts and to show this appreciation through their actions by using whatever they get from the government for the intended purpose. “I don’t want to hear that some of you have sold some of the food. It’s for you to eat, not to sell,” he told the elders gathered at the community hall. “Let’s not take what we get for granted, let’s use it for the right purposes.” He also urged the elders in attendance to refrain from using their pension monies to buy alcohol and other unnecessary things, which will not add value to their lives. !Kharuxab explained that the items, which include sugar, maize meal, tea, cooking oil and canned food amongst other items, were supposed to be given to the elders at a Christmas party in December last year, but the handover was moved to this year as a way to help the elders through the difficult month of January, known for its financial woes. The elders were in a jubilant mood as they sang and danced while waiting to receive the donations. Speaking to New Era after receiving his parcel 70-year-old Andries Grawie could not hide his happiness, saying it will help the elders as they wait for their first pension grant this year. “Our hearts are very thankful. It’s nice that the government is so caring, we are very thankful,” he said. //Karas Regional Council spent N$250 on each parcel and each of the seven constituencies in the region received their share of food items to be distributed to the elderly. 2016-01-19Staff Report 2
