N$3 billion for social grants

RUTH KAMWITHE poverty eradication ministry has allocated over N$3,1 billion for social grant programmes for this financial year.

Poverty eradication minister Zephania Kameeta revealed Wednesday during a staff meeting in Windhoek that the amount makes up 92% of the ministry’s total budget allocation.

He said the ministry had maintained reasonable coverage of the old-age grant at 97%, and the disability grant at 68%, respectively.

“This is commendable, as safety nets aid greatly in eradicating extreme poverty and reducing inequality,” he said, also highlighting the ministry’s plans for social protection systems to be expanded by targeting women and children.

The ministry recorded an increase in the number of social grant recipients, from 204 621 in 2016/17 to 211 447 in the 2017/18 financial year.

The old-age grant beneficiaries increased from 165 376 to 170 386, while the disability grant beneficiaries rose from 39 245 to 41 061.

“Social grants such as the old-age grant and disability grant have seen a significant increment since 2015/16 to 2018/19, and currently stand at N$1 250 per month,” Kameeta said.

The ministry also managed to develop a zero hunger workplan as per the monitoring and evaluation framework in line with the fifth National Development Plan (NDP5).

To date, the ministry has distributed food to about 17 000 beneficiaries in the Khomas, //Kharas, Hardap, Kavango East and West regions.

Kameeta said the ministry also utilised N$70 million for the acquisition of food parcels, and the administration of the food bank programme.

However, the minister cited shortcomings and challenges – a fragmentation of the social protection systems and unemployment, making poverty eradication more challenging, and minimal economic growth affecting the ministry’s ability to expand its programmes.

“We say goodbye to 2018, a challenging year, which only saw marginal improvements in the domestic economy,” Kameeta said.

He added that the ministry had been presented with the opportunity to correct the shortcomings of 2018 with renewed vigour and enthusiasm.

Poverty eradication executive director Esther Lusepani said in their last assessment – on 31 December 2018 – the ministry had achieved over 80% of their 2018/19 targets, adding that the ministry would reach the 100% goal when she goes to Cabinet to report the ministry’s progress on 31 March.

The ministry has opened an account for donations, which has raised N$4,6 million to help people who may find themselves in desperate situations, like those in informal settlements who lose their belongings due to fire and floods. Additionally, the food bank, in collaboration with the World Food Programme, has made technological progress, with the official launch of the biometric system called Scope in November 2018.

The system makes it easier to clamp down on the fraudulent collection of food parcels, helps in identifying beneficiaries and the registration of beneficiaries, as well as the distribution of food parcels.

Phase 1 of Scope’s implementation is almost complete, with two constituencies in Windhoek remaining. Phase 2 is set to begin this year. The ministry also the Oshikoto Regional Council with the drilling of two boreholes for impoverished communities, and paid tuition fees for vulnerable students at various tertiary institutions.

Through its donation account, the ministry looks to assist three water provision projects in the Ohangwena, Kunene and Omaheke regions, two agricultural projects in the Kunene region, and the construction of a decent shelter for an impoverished family in the Khomas region. The ministry was established in 2015, in line with President Hage Geingob’s declaration of war against poverty.

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