Officially Namibian: IDs for poverty-stricken San couple

A San couple from Mutjiku village in Kavango East, previously reported as lacking the necessary national documents to access much-needed state grants and other services, are now on track to receive their identity papers.

Namibian Sun had previously reported on the plight of Mboma Nyumbu (92) and Thitoka Ndumba (82), who were unable to register and receive government grants – a situation that left them struggling to survive with odd jobs and government food parcels.

In response to Namibian Sun's report, the home affairs ministry launched an investigation, tracked down the couple, and found they are Namibian citizens and qualify for national identity documents (IDs).

Consequently, the process of issuing their identity cards has commenced, which they are due to receive this week.

Government ready and willing to help

This was confirmed by home affairs ministry spokesperson, Margaret Kalo.

"We located them, and we took their fingerprints to see if they had national documents before – it seems they had, but they never came for their IDs, and we then started the process of giving it to them," Kalo said.

Kalo also called on relevant stakeholders, such as constituency leaders, to identify people without documents in their communities and urged them to collaborate with the ministry to address this issue, ensuring that potential beneficiaries are identified and assisted.

"We must do this for our people. People are suffering. The ministry is ready to assist everyone. The councillors can identify the people, and we will react swiftly," she said.

'We are happy'

At the weekend, Namibian Sun paid a follow-up visit to the couple at Mutjiku, who expressed their joy at being accorded with national documents.

The daughter of the couple, 40-year-old Chedau Kayana – who used her uncle's surname to obtain her ID as her parents did not possess the necessary documents – said she is happy that her parents will receive their IDs and hopefully be registered and benefit from the monthly pension grant.

"They are happy, as you can see. I am happy as well because at least now our situation at home will improve. Our family is big, and we struggled to survive, but after what you have done for us, we will always remember you. May God bless and continue doing this for others who are suffering in the communities," Kayana said.

The couple, whose daughter translated for them, confirmed their happiness.

Their homestead houses 18 family members, of whom the majority are children. No one has a job.

Mutjiku village is situated about 205 kilometres east of Rundu in the Mukwe constituency.

Recognition

Last month, the home affairs and immigration ministry announced that Namibia is currently home to 141 048 undocumented and stateless persons.

According to international law, a stateless person is someone who is not considered a national in accordance with the country's laws. Some stateless people are also refugees.

In response to these numbers, Cabinet has proposed several changes to the country’s legislation in order to provide a legal framework to regulate the status of stateless and undocumented individuals.

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