GIPF to establish Pensioners’ Association

THE Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) plans to establish an association that will allow its members to become more involved in and take interest in aspects of the fund.

Andrew Matjila, Chairman of the envisaged body’s Steering Committee, said the association would act as a watchdog and mouthpiece for members, would have the power to come up with concrete proposals on matters of investment, and would have the power to make recommendations on issues that promoted the interest of the Association and the Fund in general. “It was felt that members of the Pension Fund must have a direct interest in the affairs of the Fund,” Matjila said of the outcome of a meeting held with pensioners in August.Pensioners at this meeting generated a hot debate and directed piercing questions at GIPF officials, he said, and it was here that the Steering Committee was formed among those present.This committee will make contact with all the Fund’s members in the Khomas region, asking them whether they are in favour of establishing such an association.The GIPF will host similar meetings in all thirteen regions of the country.”This issue, I believe, is most welcome to all pensioners,” Matjila said, asking the media to assist in disseminating this information to members, as some members do not have postal addresses.”I am convinced that an Association is of crucial importance to all stakeholders.”The Steering Committee has until the end of November to announce the response from fund members.”It was felt that members of the Pension Fund must have a direct interest in the affairs of the Fund,” Matjila said of the outcome of a meeting held with pensioners in August.Pensioners at this meeting generated a hot debate and directed piercing questions at GIPF officials, he said, and it was here that the Steering Committee was formed among those present.This committee will make contact with all the Fund’s members in the Khomas region, asking them whether they are in favour of establishing such an association.The GIPF will host similar meetings in all thirteen regions of the country.”This issue, I believe, is most welcome to all pensioners,” Matjila said, asking the media to assist in disseminating this information to members, as some members do not have postal addresses.”I am convinced that an Association is of crucial importance to all stakeholders.”The Steering Committee has until the end of November to announce the response from fund members.