Pensioners slam holiday lump-sum payouts
Pensioners slam holiday lump-sum payouts

Pensioners slam holiday lump-sum payouts

Pensioners are facing an uphill battle to survive the festive season, after they were paid two months’ pension earlier this month and are now sitting with empty hands. The elderly were paid their pensions for November and December – a total of N$1 100 - on November 5 and most of them who spoke to Namibian Sun yesterday said their money was already spent. The next pension payout will take place on the first Tuesday of January next year. Priska Narises, 59, said her situation is dire. She takes care of her five grandchildren and said that receiving her December pension grant in November has already started haunting her. “When we need something at home, we buy. We can’t keep the money saved when we are hungry. The money is finished and I don’t even know what my grandchildren and I will eat Christmas time,” she said. Katrina Eichas, 66, said as in previous years, they received their November and December pensions together, and the money has already been spent on taking care of her three grandchildren. She is caring for her grandchildren, as their mothers have all passed away, Eichas said. She said because her grandkids are teenagers, it is impossible for her to save money, as they have many expenses. Issascar !Nanum, 59, said that despite the temptation, he tries to keep some of his money on his Smartcard at NamPost. “What should we do? Sometimes there’s nothing today or tomorrow, but I have to think about the Christmas days,” he said. August Uirab, 58, said that he also saved some of his money, but complained that it’s almost impossible to survive on N$550 in a month like December. “We can’t eat nice things or buy something good for Christmas, because the money is already a little and now there are everyday problems at home that we use it on,” he said. Another pensioner, Jakobina Am/habes, said that she always tries to save her money, but also complained that November is long and if something is needed at home she has to start using the money she saved. Namibian Sun telephoned the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, George Simataa, for comment, but he referred the newspaper to a certain Mr Biwa who also could not be reached. WINDHOEK GORDON JOSEPH

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-24

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