Niël Terblanché
The chief executive officer of the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF), Martin Inkumbi, visited the Kavango West and East regions last week as part of his familiarisation programme.
Since taking office earlier this year, Inkumbi has been keen to engage with key stakeholders and understand the regional dynamics affecting the Fund’s members.
During his visit, Inkumbi toured the fund’s regional office in Rundu and its satellite office in Nkurenkuru, Kavango West.
He also met with regional leaders, including the governors, chairpersons of the regional council management committees, and chief regional officers.
These engagements are vital as the regional political leadership represents the members served by the GIPF.
At the same time, the GIPF announced that it will embark on a member education drive and a series of pre-retirement workshops.
The educational campaign, scheduled to run from 16 to 24 July 2024, will cover Groot Aub, Dordabis, Ovitoto, Okahandja, and Rehoboth.
Members are encouraged to visit the Fund’s Pension on Wheels Truck, which will be stationed in these towns to provide direct assistance and information.
Edwin Tjiramba, the general manager of marketing and stakeholder engagement at the GIPF, stated that the campaign is part of the Fund’s commitment to enhancing stakeholder engagement and member education.
Pre-retirement workshops in Okahandja and Rehoboth will be held for members aged 50 to 59, focusing on financial planning, medical aid at retirement, and tax-related issues.
In addition to the on-ground activities, the GIPF will provide detailed information through local language radio broadcasts on the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 07:00 to 08:00.
These sessions aim to inform the public about the venues and times for the stakeholder and member education campaign.
The GIPF is also leveraging technology to enhance member engagement.
Members are encouraged to use the fund’s social media and online platforms for interactive sessions and to access information about various activities hosted by the Fund.
Tjiramba stressed the importance of members familiarizing themselves with the Fund’s rules to understand the benefits, processes, and procedures for instituting claims.
Inkumbi’s visit to the Kavango regions also included a stopover at Namibia’s first-ever commercial berry plantation, Mashare Berries Farm, located 45 kilometres outside Rundu.
Managed by fund manager Königstein Capital, the farm is in its fifth year of production and spans over 60 hectares.
The farm produces four blueberry variants and employs 100 permanent workers, with the capacity to employ 800 people seasonally during the harvest period.
Inkumbi expressed satisfaction with the positive impact of GIPF’s investments on the Namibian economy, noting that the farm injects approximately N$1 million to N$1.5 million per month into the local economy.
“This has a positive impact on the livelihood of the employees, their family members, and the region at large,” he said.
He added that the GIPF will continue to invest in ways that reflect its responsibility and core mandate, supporting the Namibian economy while ensuring long-term benefits for its members.
