Universal Basic Income Grant

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 61

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

Namibia

Musutua Blasts Shiimi Over Poverty Crisis, Demands Universal Grant

Activist Rinaani Musutua has taken aim at Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi, accusing the government of continuously making empty promises while failing to tackle Namibia’s deepening poverty crisis. Musutua argues that the only viable solution is the implementation of a Universal Basic Income Grant, which she believes would provide meaningful financial relief to struggling citizens. In the interim, Ben Schernick, Director of the Nutrition Alliance of Namibia, has voiced concerns over […]

17 February, 2025 40

Namibia

BIG Coalition Applauds Nandi-Ndaitwa and Advocates for Universal Basic Income Grant

The Basic Income Grant Coalition of Namibia has congratulated President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwa on her election as the country's first female president. The coalition continues to advocate for the implementation of a Universal Basic Income Grant for all Namibians, emphasizing its importance in addressing poverty, unemployment, and economic inequality. Here's the coalition's Breschnev Katjito:

6 December, 2024 30

Interview Transcripts

INTERVIEW: BIG Coalition Member: Breschneff Katjito Criticizes Government’s Conditional Basic Income Grant

December 6, 2024 Breschneff Katjito, a prominent member of the Universal Basic Income Grant (BIG) Coalition, has voiced strong disappointment with the government's handling of the Conditional Basic Income Grant, highlighting concerns over its restrictive nature and limited reach. In a candid statement, Katjito emphasized that the conditional grant, which aims to alleviate poverty by providing a small cash amount, has been riddled with bureaucratic hurdles. He criticized the […]

6 December, 2024 11

South Africa

S.A Union welcomes the ANC’s firm commitment to deliver a Universal Basic Income Grant

S.A union, Cosatu has welcomed the ANC’s firm commitment to deliver a Universal Basic Income Grant, including finalising a policy and financing framework for it by the incoming Administration. South Africa, under the leadership of the ANC, has done well to ensure some sort of social relief from the state for 27-million of the most impoverished compatriots. Cosatu’s Matthew Parks says the envisaged UBIG will play a critical role in […]

24 May, 2024 48

Interview Transcripts

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Basic Income Grant Coalition’s South Visit: Advocating for Social Well-being and Rights

In a recent interview with Claudius Riruako, a dedicated member of the Basic Income Grant Coalition, the focus was on the coalition's recent visit to the south of Namibia. The purpose of this trip was to engage with communities, spread awareness about the Basic Income Grant, and decentralize their efforts to touch more lives. Trip Highlights The coalition, in collaboration with university students from institutions such as UNAM, NAST, and […]

4 March, 2024 98

Business / Economics

Rinaani Musutua, an advocate for economic and social justice with the Basic Income Grant Coalition, provides her perspective on Namibia’s unemployment rate.

https://youtu.be/kpiINO-03g0 Following the recent mid-term budget review, which saw a substantial increase in budgets for seventeen government offices, ministries, and agencies, totaling 2.5 billion Namibian dollars, Rinaani Musutua, an advocate for economic and social justice with the Basic Income Grant Coalition, provides her perspective on Namibia's unemployment rate.

6 November, 2023 35