Social safety nets insufficient – activist
356 756 children benefitting from a social grant in 2023
Rinaani Musutua of the Economic and Social Justice Trust says although approximately 700 000 Namibians benefit from social protection grants, it is not enough to address the country's high poverty rates.
The sustainability of social grants in Namibia has come under scrutiny as the country grapples with persistent poverty and inequality.
Despite a surge in grant recipients and increased payouts over the past three years, concerns persist about the adequacy and effectiveness of Namibia's social safety nets.
According to national statistics, the number of social grant beneficiaries has increased steadily over the past few years.
In 2021, 191 028 individuals received an old age grant – by 2023, this figure rose to 202 294.
Similarly, the number of disability grant recipients increased from 49 449 in 2021 to 50 927 in 2023.
The introduction of the conditional basic income grant in 2023 provided additional support to 8 133 individuals.
In 2023, 356 756 children are receiving a children's grant.
Ineffective safety nets
Rinaani Musutua, a social justice activist and trustee of the Economic and Social Justice Trust, argued that while Namibia has a comprehensive social protection system, it has not been effective in addressing the root causes of poverty and inequality.
"I don’t think that Namibia spends that much on social protection to cause that much of a worry. If Namibia spends that much on social grants, then why do we have cases like the 45 children having died of hunger between January and June 2023 in the Omaheke Region? That is a child dying every four days," she pointed out.
"There is room for improving Namibia’s social protection," Musutua stressed.
Neighbours are doing better
Musutua juxtaposed Namibia’s social protection system with that of its neighbouring counterpart, Botswana.
She said Botswana has about 30 overlapping social protection programmes that are implemented by 10 different government departments, with government expenditure on social services accounting for 35% to 40% of the gross domestic product (GDP).
"How is Botswana surviving with such a high expenditure on social protection?" Musustua asked.
"Namibia has about ten non-contributory social protection schemes and spends about N$5 billion annually on social protection, which is the equivalent to about 3% of total GDP expenditure," she claimed.
"Social grant recipients in Namibia are about 700 000 while it should be at least 1.2 million. What is not sustainable are the extreme levels of poverty and inequality in Namibia," Musutua said.
Implement BIG
"Social protection is not for mahala. It has been proven time and time again that it is an investment in human capital development," Musutua added.
She emphasised the significance of social safety nets as a catalyst for the growth and potential of individuals, and the country.
To swiftly address these pressing issues, Musutua suggested government introduce a universal basic income grant (BIG) cash transfer of N$500 per person per month for all Namibians aged 0-59.
"The main objective of social protection programmes is poverty alleviation. The universal basic income grant will ensure that all vulnerable people are covered. It will reach more people and, hence, will be more efficient at reducing poverty and inequality," she said.
Despite a surge in grant recipients and increased payouts over the past three years, concerns persist about the adequacy and effectiveness of Namibia's social safety nets.
According to national statistics, the number of social grant beneficiaries has increased steadily over the past few years.
In 2021, 191 028 individuals received an old age grant – by 2023, this figure rose to 202 294.
Similarly, the number of disability grant recipients increased from 49 449 in 2021 to 50 927 in 2023.
The introduction of the conditional basic income grant in 2023 provided additional support to 8 133 individuals.
In 2023, 356 756 children are receiving a children's grant.
Ineffective safety nets
Rinaani Musutua, a social justice activist and trustee of the Economic and Social Justice Trust, argued that while Namibia has a comprehensive social protection system, it has not been effective in addressing the root causes of poverty and inequality.
"I don’t think that Namibia spends that much on social protection to cause that much of a worry. If Namibia spends that much on social grants, then why do we have cases like the 45 children having died of hunger between January and June 2023 in the Omaheke Region? That is a child dying every four days," she pointed out.
"There is room for improving Namibia’s social protection," Musutua stressed.
Neighbours are doing better
Musutua juxtaposed Namibia’s social protection system with that of its neighbouring counterpart, Botswana.
She said Botswana has about 30 overlapping social protection programmes that are implemented by 10 different government departments, with government expenditure on social services accounting for 35% to 40% of the gross domestic product (GDP).
"How is Botswana surviving with such a high expenditure on social protection?" Musustua asked.
"Namibia has about ten non-contributory social protection schemes and spends about N$5 billion annually on social protection, which is the equivalent to about 3% of total GDP expenditure," she claimed.
"Social grant recipients in Namibia are about 700 000 while it should be at least 1.2 million. What is not sustainable are the extreme levels of poverty and inequality in Namibia," Musutua said.
Implement BIG
"Social protection is not for mahala. It has been proven time and time again that it is an investment in human capital development," Musutua added.
She emphasised the significance of social safety nets as a catalyst for the growth and potential of individuals, and the country.
To swiftly address these pressing issues, Musutua suggested government introduce a universal basic income grant (BIG) cash transfer of N$500 per person per month for all Namibians aged 0-59.
"The main objective of social protection programmes is poverty alleviation. The universal basic income grant will ensure that all vulnerable people are covered. It will reach more people and, hence, will be more efficient at reducing poverty and inequality," she said.
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