Niël Terblanché
The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) announced its participation in the upcoming Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF), which will take place from 23 to 31, 2024 and aims to enhance member experience and improve stakeholder engagement.
According to Edwin Tjiramba, the GIPF’s General Manager of Marketing and Stakeholder Engagement, the Fund will provide a broad range of services to its members, pensioners, and beneficiaries during the trade fair.
“These services include biometric enrolment and verification, updates on membership status, information on pension benefits, claim procedures, and assistance with submission and claims status,” he said in a statement issued earlier this week.
He added that members will be able to obtain benefit and income statement printouts, as well as receive advice on retirement planning and other general questions.
“The GIPF has partnered with Ondangwa Private Hospital to offer wellness screenings at the GIPF stand in a collaborative effort to promote health and wellness,” he said.
According to Tjiramba, these screenings will be available to both GIPF pensioners and visitors and will include blood pressure checks, Body Mass Index (BMI) calculations, cholesterol levels, prostate health with the aid of rapid testing, chronic medication compliance, and glucose levels, among other vital indicators.
Key partners like Kuleni Financial Services, the Public Service Medical Aid Scheme (PSEMAS), and the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) will also join the GIPF, according to Tjiramba.
“These partners will offer additional pension-related services, including advice on benefits, medical aid, and tax-related matters,” he added.
Tjiramba indicated that the GIPF will be hosting pre-retirement workshops in Omuthiya on 21 August, as well as in Oshakati and Ongwediva on 28 and 29 August, respectively at the same time.
He said that these workshops are specifically tailored for members aged 50 to 59, providing them with essential information and guidance as they approach retirement.
Members and visitors can find the GIPF and its trade fair partners in a prominently branded marquee tent outside the Queen’s Hall.
“The GIPF’s participation in the OATF will not only enhance our member experience but also improve our stakeholder engagement as we strive to be a member-centric pension fund,” Tjiramba added.
According to Tjiramba, the initiative by the GIPF reflects its dedication to bringing services closer to its members, ensuring that they receive the support and information needed to secure their financial and physical well-being as they prepare for retirement.
He added that the annual trade fair presents a valuable opportunity for members to engage directly with the Fund and its partners, reinforcing the GIPF’s role as a pivotal institution in Namibia’s pension landscape.
