The Social Economic Justice Unit of the Council of Churches (CCN) in Namibia hosted an information session at the Lüderitz Congregational Church.
Themed “Increasing benefits from Namibia’s natural resources to address social and economic development challenges”, the engagement focused on the 10 Demands for Poverty Eradication and Recovery from Covid-19 issued on 17 October 2021 and the three programme areas of the Social Economic Justice Unit of the CCN. An announcement was also made that CCN would facilitate the launch of an Ecumenical Youth Forum (15-17 October) in Windhoek.
Organised and sponsored by the CCN, the Desk for Social Development of ELCRN and the National Youth Council (NYC), one of the demands calls for the implementation of a Universal Child Grant (for 0 to 18 years), including a disability grant for children under 18, and a Basic Income Grant (for 19 to 59 years) as a matter of urgency. “We requested that President Netumbo Ndaitwa expand the current beneficiaries of the cash grant (modified basic income grant) to include more vulnerable individuals who are most affected by hunger and poverty. In this regard, the Basic Income Grant Coalition in 2015 proposed a gradual implementation of the Basic Income Grant starting with those below the income tax bracket of NS100 000,” Josephine Ngishoono said. She also highlighted that the Social Security Commission (SSC) has not implemented the National Pension Scheme for 28 years as provided for in the Social Security Commission Act 34 of 1994.
“A feasibility study on the Universal Unemployment Insurance was undertaken, and a recommendation was made for its implementation based on the South African model. Years later, there is still no movement on this initiative. For 28 years, the SSC has also not implemented the National Medical Aid Benefit Fund as provided for in the Social Security Commission Act," Ngishoono said.
Land - Almost six years after the conclusion of the 2nd National Land Conference, implementation of the resolutions has been slow, while expectations remain high. “The High Level Committee for the implementation of the 2nd National Conference Resolutions recently developed an implementation plan for the Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Ancestral Land Rights and Restitution; however, this process is tedious and lacks a sense of urgency. We want these resolutions to be implemented with a sense of urgency and for appropriate resources to be allocated for this important national undertaking,” said Yolande Sabatta.
She added that churches and civil society organisations have been advocating for a new National Housing Policy for the past five years, as recommended by the 2nd National Land Conference convened by the late president Hage Geingob, which was held in 2018, and for increased funding for housing opportunities. Sabata hailed the approval of the National Policy on Housing in 2024 and the increased budget allocation for housing from N$50 million to N$700 million in the 2024/2025 financial year as a significant victory. “Land for housing remains a major obstacle for those in the low-income and ultra-low-income categories. Communities and households need to organise themselves into housing cooperatives/associations to advocate for access to land and bulk services (water, sanitation, energy, roads and other infrastructure) and livelihoods.”
'Expolosive' - Stakeholders agree that the situation of youth unemployment is explosive and could disturb the relative peace and stability. “The revised National Youth Policy and the recommendations of the Targeted Review for Youth Unemployment need to be implemented with a sense of urgency,” said Claudina Shimanda. She added, “There is also an urgent need to strengthen institutions such as the ACC and Office of the Ombudsman and involve churches and civil society organisations to expand the work of these institutions through raising awareness, promoting integrity and encouraging citizens to increasingly utilise these institutions to report corruption and the misuse of power.”
Themed “Increasing benefits from Namibia’s natural resources to address social and economic development challenges”, the engagement focused on the 10 Demands for Poverty Eradication and Recovery from Covid-19 issued on 17 October 2021 and the three programme areas of the Social Economic Justice Unit of the CCN. An announcement was also made that CCN would facilitate the launch of an Ecumenical Youth Forum (15-17 October) in Windhoek.
Organised and sponsored by the CCN, the Desk for Social Development of ELCRN and the National Youth Council (NYC), one of the demands calls for the implementation of a Universal Child Grant (for 0 to 18 years), including a disability grant for children under 18, and a Basic Income Grant (for 19 to 59 years) as a matter of urgency. “We requested that President Netumbo Ndaitwa expand the current beneficiaries of the cash grant (modified basic income grant) to include more vulnerable individuals who are most affected by hunger and poverty. In this regard, the Basic Income Grant Coalition in 2015 proposed a gradual implementation of the Basic Income Grant starting with those below the income tax bracket of NS100 000,” Josephine Ngishoono said. She also highlighted that the Social Security Commission (SSC) has not implemented the National Pension Scheme for 28 years as provided for in the Social Security Commission Act 34 of 1994.
“A feasibility study on the Universal Unemployment Insurance was undertaken, and a recommendation was made for its implementation based on the South African model. Years later, there is still no movement on this initiative. For 28 years, the SSC has also not implemented the National Medical Aid Benefit Fund as provided for in the Social Security Commission Act," Ngishoono said.
Land - Almost six years after the conclusion of the 2nd National Land Conference, implementation of the resolutions has been slow, while expectations remain high. “The High Level Committee for the implementation of the 2nd National Conference Resolutions recently developed an implementation plan for the Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Ancestral Land Rights and Restitution; however, this process is tedious and lacks a sense of urgency. We want these resolutions to be implemented with a sense of urgency and for appropriate resources to be allocated for this important national undertaking,” said Yolande Sabatta.
She added that churches and civil society organisations have been advocating for a new National Housing Policy for the past five years, as recommended by the 2nd National Land Conference convened by the late president Hage Geingob, which was held in 2018, and for increased funding for housing opportunities. Sabata hailed the approval of the National Policy on Housing in 2024 and the increased budget allocation for housing from N$50 million to N$700 million in the 2024/2025 financial year as a significant victory. “Land for housing remains a major obstacle for those in the low-income and ultra-low-income categories. Communities and households need to organise themselves into housing cooperatives/associations to advocate for access to land and bulk services (water, sanitation, energy, roads and other infrastructure) and livelihoods.”
'Expolosive' - Stakeholders agree that the situation of youth unemployment is explosive and could disturb the relative peace and stability. “The revised National Youth Policy and the recommendations of the Targeted Review for Youth Unemployment need to be implemented with a sense of urgency,” said Claudina Shimanda. She added, “There is also an urgent need to strengthen institutions such as the ACC and Office of the Ombudsman and involve churches and civil society organisations to expand the work of these institutions through raising awareness, promoting integrity and encouraging citizens to increasingly utilise these institutions to report corruption and the misuse of power.”
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