Conditional basic income grant ‘an election ploy’

Basic Income Grant (BIG) Coalition Namibia coordinator Rinaani Musutua has accused the government of hijacking the coalition’s concept.



This is by introducing a similar initiative, but one that is not universal and unconditional, as a replacement for the Harambee Food Bank.



In 2022, the government abolished the food bank initiative, which offered food parcels that were converted into a cash scheme of N$500 for all former beneficiaries.



The amount has increased to N$600 per beneficiary, and the Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Welfare and Poverty Eradication recently announced the introduction of new towns to the list of beneficiaries. These are: Walvis Bay, Henties Bay, Arandis, Omaruru, Usakos, Rehoboth, Aranos, Karasburg, Oranjemund, Ongwediva, Okahao, Oshikuku, Outjo, Oniipa, Omuthiya, Grootfontein, Okakarara, Otavi and Helao Nafidi, as reported by The Namibian recently.



The BIG Coalition on Saturday hosted a demonstration and rally in Windhoek, drawing attention to the government's current cash grant initiative and its failure to meet the needs of the country's most vulnerable citizens.



The event began with a march from the Miami Service Station bus stop to the UN Plaza, where activists and community members gathered for a public discussion and demonstration.



At the event, Musutua called for clarity on the government's grant programme, which she said misrepresents the true universal basic income the coalition has been advocating.



She accused Swapo of rolling out the project as a ploy to get more votes during Namibia's presidential and National Assembly elections next week.



"We want to make it clear that this is not a basic income grant," Musutua told Namibian Sun.



"The government has hijacked our campaign by renaming the Harambee Food Bank initiative a BIG but it's neither universal nor unconditional – key principles of a true universal basic income.”



Musutua said a universal basic income grant is the best way to reduce poverty and inequality in Namibia.



“We just wanted to make sure that the public understands that most of them will not benefit from the grant that is currently rolled out because it's an election ploy. It's a desperate attempt by the Swapo Party to garner votes," she emphasised.





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The government's cash grant, which is being rolled out in phases, has reportedly sparked confusion among Namibians, with concerns raised regarding its fairness.



According to Musutua, the initiative fails to address the needs of the majority of Namibians struggling for survival.



"The majority of people who need help are excluded from this programme. Only certain individuals are receiving it, while others are being left out," she said.



Musutua further highlighted issues surrounding the application process.



The current process requires applicants to provide multiple documents, including a police declaration, proof of residence and other bureaucratic hurdles, making it difficult for many to access assistance, she said.



Musutua expressed frustration with the government's approach, calling it an "administrative nightmare" that has led to many being turned away, especially in areas like Keetmanshoop, where people have been told to wait until next year to apply.



"People are suffering right now, not next year," she said.



"Once you start means-testing, the system becomes ineffective, and administratively it is a huge burden. It requires more resources to manage and causes unnecessary delays," Musutua said.



"A true universal basic income is simple and direct: Give the grant to everyone and avoid the complicated process of screening people," she added.