Basic Income Grant Coalition of Namibia Applauds President-Elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwa and Continues to Advocate for a Universal Basic Income Grant for all Namibians.

6 December, 2024 37

The Basic Income Grant Coalition of Namibia congratulates Honorable Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwa on her election as President of the Republic of Namibia, historically Namibia’s first and Africa’s second female president. We took note of her promise of economic justice and freedom for all Namibians, as articulated during her campaign.

In alignment with these promises, we strongly re-emphasize the need for implementing a Universal Basic Income Grant (UBIG) of at least N$500.00 for all Namibians aged 0-59. This initiative is crucial to not merely fight unemployment, poverty, and income inequality, but to also boost Namibia’s economy, strengthen social cohesion, and counter urbanization.

We have noted the support from Honorable Doreen Sioka, Minister of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication, and Social Welfare, who has endorsed the idea of a Universal BIG. During a consultative meeting with coalition members in early September, which followed country-wide marches for a universal BIG on 26 August, Minister Sioka pledged her ministry’s support for this cause, as well as the involvement of other key Ministries, such as the Ministry of Finance and the National Planning Commission, in recognition of the significant impact that a universal (rather than conditional) basic income grant will have on the most vulnerable populations and Namibia’s overall socio-economic development.

The coalition firmly believes that an inclusive, redistributive Universal BIG is significantly more efficient and essential for achieving true economic freedom and justice. Conditional grants, while beneficial for a selected few, often fail to reach those in greatest need due to their restrictive nature and are administratively lengthy and expensive, as evident in the case of the newly implemented conditional BIG. On the other hand, a universal/unconditional approach ensures that every Namibian, regardless of circumstance, receives the support necessary to thrive. These benefits are backed up by reliable data from national and international pilot projects, studies, and research.

We therefore urge the incoming administration to honor the pledges made toward economic freedom and justice. The coalition remains steadfast in its commitment to work alongside the government to develop suitable ways for implementing the Universal BIG, hereby addressing the flaws in the current conditional BIG and the fragmentation of the existing system. This way, we can ensure a brighter, more equitable future for all Namibians.

Together, we can make significant strides in reducing poverty and income inequality, fostering Namibia’s economic prosperity, and creating a society where every individual can succeed.

For further information, please contact:

Ujakwua Uapingene
Media Contact
+264 81 802 2534
esjtrust1@gmail.com

Partner Organizations:

Namibia Diverse Women’s Association (NDWA)
ELCRN Desk for Social Development
Katutura Youth Enterprise Centre (KAYEC)
Breaking the Wall of Silence (BWS)
Women’s Solidarity Namibia
Namibian Rural Women’s Assembly (NRWA)
Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia (SDFN)
Legal Assistance Centre (LAC)
Women’s Leadership Centre (WLC)
Young Feminists Movement Namibia (Y-FEM)
Dolam Children’s Home Trust
Trade Union Congress of Namibia (TUCNA)
Economic & Social Justice Trust (ESJT)
The Church Alliance for Orphans
National Youth Council of Namibia (NYC)
Naosan /Aes (Movement of Landless People)
Namibia Institute for Development (NID)
Council of Churches in Namibia (CCN)
National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW)
Labour Resource & Research Institute of Namibia (LaRRI)
RISE Namibia
Namibia Network of AIDS Service Organisations (NANASO)
Namibian Non-Government Organisation Forum Trust (NANGOF)
Namibia Development Trust (NDT)
Southern Africa Refugee Protection
Kirchliche Arbeitsstelle Südliches Afrika (KASA)
Nutrition and Food Security Alliance of Namibia (NAFSAN)
Quaker Community in Namibia
Association Emblem Namibia
Khaibasen Community Trust