Poverty minister calls out food bank critics

Bishop Zephania Kameeta, the minister of poverty eradication, yesterday took to task National Council members who had lashed out at the food bank programme and challenged them to put their complaints and concerns in writing. “I would be happy if these members made it official and wrote to me so that I could submit it to cabinet,” he said. Kameeta said the councillors, who were likely speaking on behalf of their constituents, should take responsibility for their criticism and answer questions from voters in their constituencies. Kameeta was referring to a national news broadcast earlier this week, which showed Laina Mekundi, a councillor for the Otavi constituency, questioning the value of the food bank programme and its source of funding. “Giving free food to the people is not a solution for poverty. It makes people lazy because if they wait for the free food,” she argued. She further asked where the money was coming from to buy food. Mekundi suggested that government should rather introduce programmes enabling people to produce food themselves. Jason Ndakunda of the Engela constituency argued that poverty eradication should not be based on free social assistance, which led to “people just living from handouts and not doing anything to provide for themselves”. He argued that social grants should be harmonised. “I think we must strengthen the social security and give everyone a job to earn an income. And if unemployed, we can think of unemployment insurance.” Go out and act The poverty ministry yesterday launched its five-year strategic plan, ministerial customer service charter, wealth distribution and poverty eradication blueprint and a new, interactive website. At this event, Kameeta underlined the need for urgent action by ministry staff in implementing the ministry's strategic plans without delay. “We are presented with an opportunity of a lifetime to lift the poor out of extreme poverty. We cannot lose momentum because of lengthy processes. Things must happen; it is not that difficult,” he said. He told staff members that they should not “sit in offices the whole day. We need to go out and see things, talk to people and do things.” In line with a N$20 000 donation by a group of African ambassadors and high commissioners, representing among others Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Congo Brazzaville and Egypt, Kameeta emphasised that not every act needed to be big, and that even little things could make a significant difference. “Poverty eradication must take place now, it cannot be postponed,” he emphasised.

Poverty minister calls out food bank critics

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-07

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Poverty minister calls out food bank critics

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-07

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