Erasmus Shalihaxwe
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said the government funds initially earmarked for increasing the old age pension grant will instead be directed towards youth empowerment through investment in sports infrastructure.
Speaking at State House during a courtesy meeting with International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry, Nandi-Ndaitwah said she had made the difficult decision to delay the proposed increase in pension grants.
“I have to kneel down to my parents, the pensioners, because I have to make a very difficult decision, and I hope they understand me. This time around, my pensioners, can you please understand and allow me to pay attention to the infrastructure that is required for the development of our youth? Because if we empower our young people, they will have the capacity to also take care of us,” she said.
The old-age pension grant currently stands at N$1 600 per month.
During the 2023 Swapo election campaign, Nandi-Ndaitwah had promised to raise it to N$3 000, echoing a wish first expressed by late President Hage Geingob.
However, the president said that economic constraints and the need to invest in long-term youth development have forced the government to redirect those funds.
“Therefore, I beg my parents, the pensioners, to understand that this year around, I might not put anything on them, while I will consider it next year,” she said.
The initial proposal to increase the old age pension was made by the late President Hage Geingob in 2023, who had expressed hope that his administration would increase the grant to at least N$2 000, possibly N$3 000, before his retirement.
During a memorial lecture in Ongwediva last year, Nandi-Ndaitwah echoed Geingob’s commitment and promised to implement the increase if elected.
It is estimated that increasing both the old-age pension and disability grants to N$3 000 would cost the government roughly N$723 million per month.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said such an expense would not be sustainable in the current financial climate.
She explained that investment in sports infrastructure is expected to help young people create employment opportunities and contribute to economic growth through sports development.
Last year, social commentator Ben Mulongeni warned against politicians making promises they could not keep.
“Those are intentional lies. They are doing it to gain votes, and they should know that they are abusing old people by promising to increase the old age pension. They should know that it is immoral and unethical to lie to the elders,’’ he said.
