Swapo elders want old-age grant raised to N$2 000

The Swapo Party Elders’ Council (SPEC) has called for the old-age pension to be raised from N$1 700 to N$2 000 a month, citing rising living costs and food prices.SPEC secretary Mukwaita Shanyengana said in a statement on 28 October that the council’s central committee resolved to recommend the increase at a meeting in Windhoek on 17 October.“The cash value of money grants remains low relative to the rising cost of living and food inflation,” Shanyengana said.The proposed figure is still N$1 000 below the N$3 000 grant President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah promised voters before taking office.Nandi-Ndaitwah later said financial constraints would stop government from meeting the pledge immediately, and asked pensioners to be patient while her administration prioritised youth empowerment.In April, government approved an N$100 increase, bringing the monthly pension to N$1 700.The demand comes as government has allocated N$7.4 billion to social safety nets for the 2026/27 financial year, compared with N$7.27 billion in the previous year.Figures presented by finance minister Ericah Shafudah show that social grants supported 954 388 beneficiaries across eight categories during the previous financial year.Old-age grants accounted for N$4.14 billion, benefiting 224 589 pensioners, while overall social grant expenditure recorded a 99% budget execution rate.The 2026/27 allocation provides for average monthly disbursements of approximately N$615 million to vulnerable groups, including older people and persons with disabilities.Old-age homes in all regionsSPEC also called for at least one old-age home in each region, noting the limited accommodation for elderly people who need care.“The meeting therefore resolved that old-age homes be built across the 14 regions of the country, with at least one old-age [home] per region, not far from health facilities,” the statement reads.SPEC also wants local authorities to give pensioners relief on municipal bills, amid concerns about water and electricity costs.The elders also backed legal provisions allowing people who have occupied a property continuously for 30 years to become its owners.The resolutions coincide with changes to social grant payment arrangements scheduled for November.The finance ministry plans to replace advance double payments with monthly disbursements, meaning beneficiaries who previously received November and December payments together will receive them separately.The same arrangement will apply to children's grant beneficiaries who previously received double payments in January.Behaviour of lawmakers SPEC also criticised the behaviour of some members of parliament, saying their conduct was damaging the National Assembly's reputation.“The central committee noted with dissatisfaction the behaviour of some members of parliament making the House of Honourables look like a house of chaos,” the statement reads.The council urged lawmakers to “do the work they are elected to do and make the house a modern and ruling house”.The committee called on Swapo members to uphold the party constitution, support elected leaders and maintain unity and discipline.nikanor@nmh-hub.com.na

Swapo elders want old-age grant raised to N$2 000

Comments

Namibian Sun 2026-10-30

Please login to leave a comment

Swapo elders want old-age grant raised to N$2 000

Comments

Namibian Sun 2026-10-30

Please login to leave a comment

Subscription Required to Access Content ×

Subscription Required to Access Content