social grants

Interview: Ben Schernick Urges Government to Implement Universal Basic Income Grant

By: Leonard Witbeen The Director of the Nutrition Alliance of Namibia, Ben Schernick, has called on the government to reconsider its approach to social protection, arguing that targeted grants are inefficient and fragmented. His remarks come in response to Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi’s commitment to increasing social protection investments. Schernick highlighted that Namibia’s current social grant system requires significant administrative effort and is prone to corruption. He advocates for a […]

17 February, 2025 60

Interview Transcripts

Interview: Musutua Slams Shiimi Over Lack of Action on Poverty

Activist Rinaani Musutua has taken a firm stance against Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi, condemning what she calls decades of unfulfilled promises regarding poverty eradication and unemployment in Namibia. Musutua argues that the government’s approach to social grants has been ineffective, particularly criticizing targeted programs such as the Conditional Basic Income Grant, which she refers to as a rebranded Harambee cash grant. She insists that such measures fail to make a […]

17 February, 2025 12

South Africa

Over 26 million South Africans get a social grant. Fear of losing the payment used to be a reason to vote for the ANC, but no longer – study

By Leila Patel, University of Johannesburg and Yolanda Sadie, University of Johannesburg Social grants to reduce poverty feature prominently in the campaign promises of political parties in South Africa’s 2024 national and provincial general elections, set for 29 May. The country’s social grants system is one of the largest in Africa in terms of number of beneficiaries. Research shows that this has helped reduce poverty. […]

15 May, 2024 22

Local

Bank of Namibia launches the instant payment project to enhance financial inclusion.

The Bank of Namibia today officially launched the Instant Payment Project, a pioneering initiative set to revolutionize financial services across Namibia. With a targeted official launch year of 2025, the project aims to significantly broaden financial inclusion by providing essential and affordable financial services to all whilst focusing on the rural and informal sectors which face logistical and financial challenges in accessing conventional banking services. In 2023, the […]

26 April, 2024 42

South Africa

South Africans tasted the fruits of freedom and then corruption snatched them away – podcast

By Gemma Ware, The Conversation and Thabo Leshilo, The Conversation Five years after his momentous election as South African president, Nelson Mandela stepped down after one term in office in 1999. Thabo Mbeki, his deputy, took over the mantle of the post-apartheid transition. Mbeki would lead the country for the next nine years, a period of relatively high economic growth which enabled South Africans to begin to […]

22 April, 2024 69

Business / Economics

Finance Minister, Ipumbu Shiimi tables 2024/25 national budget

Finance Minister Ipumbu Shiimi has tabled the National Budget for the 2024/25 period in the National Assembly this afternoon. Shiimi said that this year’s budget was built on the three pillars of stimulating domestic demand, accelerating investments in productive public infrastructure, and cultivating fiscal prudence. Revenue estimates for FY2023/24 have been revised upwards by N$2.5 billion to a total of N$81.1 billion. Old Age Grant and the Disability […]

28 February, 2024 89

Lifestyle

Money and ageing: South African study shows cash grants help people live longer and have better memory function

By Molly Rosenberg, Indiana University; Chodziwadziwa Whiteson Kabudula, University of the Witwatersrand; Kathleen Kahn, University of the Witwatersrand, and Lindsay Kobayashi, University of Michigan Nearly half of South Africa’s 60 million people receive social grants, ranging from child support to pensions. The grants are designed to provide financial assistance to people living in poverty. The largest components of the South African social grant system were introduced, or expanded […]

7 February, 2024 13

South Africa

SA’s Social Development minister Lindiwe Zulu says education has the power to break the cycle of poverty

SA's Social Development minister Lindiwe Zulu says education has the power to break the cycle of poverty and transform lives. By accessing education opportunities at institutions of higher learning, many social grant beneficiaries have succeeded in creating a better future for themselves and their families, thus breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty and inequality. The department’s spokesperson, Lumka Oliphant says the benefits of social grants extend beyond individual beneficiaries to […]

22 January, 2024 21

Namibia

Social Activist Rinaani Musutua speaks on Namibian Election Promises: Old Age Pension Hike Sparks Skepticism

In a recent interview with Future Media News, Rinaani Musutua, a Social Activist, reflected on promises made as Namibia approaches a crucial election year. The below is the full transcipt of this. "In a strategic move ahead of the upcoming elections, Namibia's ruling party, Swapo, has pledged to increase the old age pension to N$3,000, as announced by President Geingob earlier this year. The promise, however, has sparked skepticism, with […]

11 January, 2024 68