Appreciate us while still alive

A group of Swapo veterans have lamented their poverty, claiming the authorities are not appreciating them while they are still alive.
The group, which mainly consist of veterans who joined the liberation struggle between 1960 and 1973, are threatening to boycott the yearly Heroes’ Day commemoration, which will take place in Walvis Bay on 26 August.
They allege that their fellow combatants, some of whom are now senior government officials, are living a good life while they are wallowing in poverty. In August 2007, about 95 members of this group were awarded honorary military ranks and decorated with medals as recognition for their role in the country’s liberation struggle.
However, they claim that these medals were mere lip-service and that there were no serious efforts from the government to better their lives.
They claim the only time government officials remember struggle veterans is during the 26 August commemorations and when they are no longer alive. “Our clarion call has been awakened by President Hage Geingob’s war on poverty and that nobody should feel left out,” one of the veterans, Haimbodi Nambinga Kati, told Namibian Sun.
“It is a genuine and ideal stance worth cherishing, however, we wonder whether this includes the fate of the pioneer war veterans of the liberation struggle. We are the founding pillars of the peace and stability the nation is enjoying today, but we are living in poverty and are deteriorating due to sickness.”
Kati, 73, said they were happy when former President Hifikepunye Pohamba awarded them honorary ranks at Eenhana in 2007, but later they felt it was meaningless.
“We don’t eat or drink medals and the honours we received have not done anything to improve our wellbeing.


“It has been nine years and we are wallowing deeper and deeper in poverty. Some of our group members have already died and they died in misery and poverty. Then they were honoured with gunshots.
“This is something that is paining us. How could you wait for me to die, then you come stand on top of my grave shouting a flowery concoction of both political and military rhetoric, while I cannot hear you from within my grave,” Kati said.
He added that most of the war veterans are yet to enjoy the fruits of independence, which they gallantly fought for. Some of them either returned as pensioners, while others only worked a few years in government before they were forced into retirement due to old age.
This is not the first time war veterans have complained about unfair treatment.

Payouts

The government has in fact paid out gratuities, amounting to N$50 000 cash and other benefits, including business start-up capital of N$200 000, to every qualifying veteran. The government also provides some veterans with a N$7 200 monthly grant, while others receive N$2 500.
Houses have been built for some war veterans across the country. Kati is, however, adamant that this is not enough and that their medical aid scheme is not enough to sustain them.
Efforts to get comment from the Ministry of Veterans’ Affairs were futile, as spokesperson Edson Haufiku is reportedly on leave, but a source in the ministry confirmed that the situation of the said veterans is worrisome.
“The ministry is aware that most of the veterans from that group are having health problems and because of that Cabinet approved free state hospital care for all of them.
“Those with special conditions, which require specialists, get referral letters from state hospitals and the ministry pays for their medical treatment. Cabinet also approved improved benefits for pioneer veterans, as well as those who served prison terms at Robben Island and Berg Aukas. They are currently getting N$7 200 per month from the ministry,” the source said.
M’kwaita Shanyengana, special advisor on veterans’ issues, refused to comment, referring the newspaper to the ministry.

ILENI NANDJATO