‘Social grants should be a means, not end’

THE answer to poverty alleviation lies in the empowerment and motivation of the poor through self-help programmes “rather than solely in social grants”, says Veronica de Klerk, Executive Director of Women’s Action for Development (WAD).

De Klerk was speaking on the organisation’s position on a possible basic income grant for Namibians at the opening yesterday of WAD’s 11th annual conference at a conference centre outside Windhoek. “While WAD supports the forthcoming legislation that would pave the way for a poverty grant to the needy, the organisation proposes that it should be handled as an interim measure which should be phased out after some years to discourage dependency among the poor,” she said.The conference, which is being held under the theme ‘Women – the key to Economic Prosperity’, continues until tomorrow.De Klerk said that it was disturbing that Namibia has the worst income disparities between rich and poor in the world.She said that despite Government efforts, it seemed as though the “poisonous ideologies” of the past had permeated the minds of certain affluent sections in Namibian society, to an extent that it “cannot be flushed out of our systems”.Also speaking at the event was Rosalia Nghidinwa, Minister of Home Affairs and Immigration, who read the keynote address on behalf of President Hifikepunye Pohamba.She congratulated WAD on its training projects, which aim to empower women, saying that Government viewed the development of women as a national priority and an important strategy to accelerate socio-economic and socio-political development.”The time has come,” she said, “for women to take their rightful place in society as leaders and decision makers at all levels.Commending WAD’s leadership and staff, she said, “I urge you and other civic organisations to redouble your efforts and work harder to further empower the women of Namibia.””While WAD supports the forthcoming legislation that would pave the way for a poverty grant to the needy, the organisation proposes that it should be handled as an interim measure which should be phased out after some years to discourage dependency among the poor,” she said.The conference, which is being held under the theme ‘Women – the key to Economic Prosperity’, continues until tomorrow.De Klerk said that it was disturbing that Namibia has the worst income disparities between rich and poor in the world.She said that despite Government efforts, it seemed as though the “poisonous ideologies” of the past had permeated the minds of certain affluent sections in Namibian society, to an extent that it “cannot be flushed out of our systems”.Also speaking at the event was Rosalia Nghidinwa, Minister of Home Affairs and Immigration, who read the keynote address on behalf of President Hifikepunye Pohamba.She congratulated WAD on its training projects, which aim to empower women, saying that Government viewed the development of women as a national priority and an important strategy to accelerate socio-economic and socio-political development.”The time has come,” she said, “for women to take their rightful place in society as leaders and decision makers at all levels. Commending WAD’s leadership and staff, she said, “I urge you and other civic organisations to redouble your efforts and work harder to further empower the women of Namibia.”