Nangombe seconded to lead SSC

Government has seconded justice and labour relations executive director Ben Nangombe to serve as interim chief executive of the Social Security Commission (SSC), with a mandate to overhaul the institution's remuneration structure, improve member benefits and drive key social security reforms.

His appointment, effective 1 August, forms part of labour minister Wise Immanuel's implementation of Cabinet's broader plan to reposition the SSC as a more member-centred institution, particularly by improving maternity benefits and other social protection payouts.

The move follows Cabinet's decision in May to halt the recruitment of a substantive SSC chief executive after expressing concern over what it regarded as inflated executive salaries and "laughable" benefits paid to contributors.

Immanuel at the time instructed the SSC board to suspend the recruitment process pending a comprehensive review of the commission's remuneration structure. Nangombe has now been tasked with leading that review in collaboration with the board while simultaneously driving improvements to member benefits.

Maternity benefits have emerged as one of government's biggest concerns.

Cabinet members have argued that the current payouts fail to protect working women during maternity leave, leaving many unable to meet their monthly financial obligations.

"Imagine having a monthly instalment of N$15 000 for your house, N$6 000 for your car, N$3 000 for school fees, another N$3 000 for fuel and N$4 000 for groceries. That's N$31 000 a month, but once you go on maternity leave, what you get from SSC doesn't exceed N$15 000,” a parliamentarian said at the time.

"So, you either have to exhaust your investments or borrow money from someone to avoid defaulting. Why are we punishing women for getting pregnant?"

Salary overhaul

Namibian Sun understands that the SSC chief executive currently earns about N$2.6 million annually, or roughly N$216 000 per month.

Senior executives reportedly earn around N$2.1 million a year (about N$175 000 per month), while middle managers receive packages estimated at N$1.6 million annually – comparable to the salary of Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare.

Sources say Nangombe will receive a monthly salary of N$125 000 (N$1.5 million annually) during his secondment, a figure government believes more accurately reflects the appropriate remuneration for the position going forward.

"SSC is a Tier 2 public entity, yet its executives are paid at levels comparable to Tier 3 entities such as NamPower," a senior official familiar with the reforms said.

"What does SSC do apart from collecting members' contributions? The money is invested through fund managers, and the returns are being used to inflate executive salaries instead of improving benefits for contributors."

Reform agenda

Asked for comment, Immanuel confirmed that he had been tasked with spearheading reforms at the commission.

"The president and Cabinet are unequivocal about what must happen to create a truly member-centred Social Security Commission. It is a conversation between me and the board, and the nation will be briefed at the appropriate time," he said.

Government has already directed that revised SSC benefits be implemented this year as part of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's broader social protection agenda.

Beyond reviewing salaries and benefits, Nangombe is expected to oversee the planned transfer of the administration of the Public Service Employees Medical Aid Scheme (Psemas) from Methealth Namibia Administrators to the SSC.

The former health executive director will also play a central role in government's drive towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The proposed Universal Health Coverage Bill seeks to establish an essential health services package available to all Namibians, regardless of their ability to pay, supported by a National Health Equity Fund that will pool resources from various financing mechanisms.

The reforms are expected to fundamentally reshape Namibia's health financing system and are regarded as one of the country's most significant public policy initiatives since independence.

Nangombe is further expected to advance plans for an unemployment insurance fund that would provide sustained income support to workers who lose their jobs.

According to sources familiar with the discussions, Immanuel believes meaningful improvements to member benefits will only be possible once executive remuneration is aligned with salary limits applicable to Tier 2 public institutions.