INTERVIEW: Rinaani Musutua: Tackling Namibia’s Hunger Crisis Through a Universal Basic Income Grant

 

In an insightful interview with Rinaani Musutua, a prominent advocate for the Universal Basic Income Grant (UBIG) in Namibia, the current socio-political landscape was laid bare. As part of the Basic Income Grant Coalition, Musutua spoke passionately about the recent incident at a SWAPO rally where food was distributed in a manner that many found dehumanizing. For Musutua, this event was a clear indicator of the systemic issues plaguing Namibia, especially around poverty and hunger.

The Rally Incident: A Symptom of a Greater Problem

“People weren’t there for the rally; they were there for food,” Musutua stated unequivocally. She expressed deep frustration with how hunger has been weaponized as a political tool, with politicians leveraging people’s desperation for their own gain. Musutua described the scene where food was thrown at people as if they were animals, a shocking display of the government’s failure to address the root cause of poverty. “Thirty-five years of self-rule, and yet people are still in such conditions—dependent on the state for food. It’s shameful.”

The incident underscored Namibia’s severe hunger crisis. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), one million Namibians are on the brink of starvation. Musutua was critical of how poverty is used as a control mechanism by politicians, likening it to a “carrot and stick” scenario, where small crumbs are given to the people in exchange for political loyalty.

Poverty as a Tool for Control

Musutua delved deeper into the root causes of Namibia’s struggles with poverty and hunger, pointing out that political leaders use poverty to maintain power. “Keeping people poor makes them easier to control,” she argued, highlighting how hunger is manipulated to coerce citizens into attending rallies or supporting political parties. The situation, she said, reveals a deliberate strategy to prevent citizens from gaining the independence and security that a Universal Basic Income Grant would provide.

A UBIG, Musutua argued, would empower Namibians to meet their basic needs without relying on politicians or rallies for survival. “If people were not hungry, they would never go to a rally just for food. The hunger crisis is perpetuated because it serves the political agenda.”

The UBIG as a Solution

Musutua and the coalition she represents have long called for the implementation of a UBIG as a way to address the rampant poverty in Namibia. The grant would provide every citizen with a basic level of financial security, ensuring that even the most vulnerable members of society can afford food, shelter, and other essentials.

She is firm in her belief that the delay in implementing the UBIG is not due to a lack of resources but rather a political calculation. “Politicians know that if a basic income grant is in place, they will lose the ability to control the poor through handouts. That’s why they are hesitant to implement it,” she said.

Political Manipulation of Social Grants

Musutua was also critical of the current system of social grants, accusing politicians of using them to buy votes. “They say they will increase old age pensions or introduce unemployment grants right before elections, but these are economic rights, not political tools,” she explained. The use of food at rallies, as seen in the recent SWAPO incident, is just one more example of this type of manipulation.

International Perception of Namibia

The interview took a broader turn when Musutua reflected on how Namibia is viewed internationally. “We have become the laughing stock of the world,” she lamented, pointing to the degradation of governance in the country. For Musutua, Namibia’s hunger crisis and lack of proper governance make the country vulnerable to exploitation and mockery from the global community.

The Role of the Opposition and the Path Forward

When asked about the role of opposition parties, specifically the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), Musutua was skeptical. “I don’t see how PDM can be part of the solution if they don’t support the idea of a universal basic income grant,” she said. For Musutua, any political party serious about solving Namibia’s hunger crisis must support the UBIG, as it has been scientifically validated as an effective solution.

However, she did express hope when she mentioned Ally Angula, who recently called for the inclusion of a UBIG in the mid-term budget. Musutua welcomed this demand, emphasizing that only a universal grant without bureaucratic hurdles could provide the immediate relief Namibians desperately need.

Conclusion

As the hunger crisis in Namibia intensifies, voices like Rinaani Musutua’s are more important than ever. Her candid assessment of the situation and her unwavering advocacy for a Universal Basic Income Grant highlight a clear path forward. It is now up to the political leaders of Namibia to either take decisive action or continue to use poverty as a tool of control.

The question remains: will the government step up and implement the UBIG, or will they allow the people to continue living in desperation, dependent on rallies for survival?