Nationwide marches on BIG issue
Several marches were held across the country yesterday to support a basic income grant (BIG) of N$500 per person, per month.A group of about 25 in Windhoek handed over a letter of complaint to the acting deputy chief executive at the ministry in the presidency responsible for gender equality, poverty eradication and social welfare, Nichlas Mbingeneeko, after they asked that the minister, Doreen Sioka, must be present to receive their complaint.
Regarding the decision to hold the marches on Heroes' Day, Herbert Jauch of the Economic and Social Justice Trust said that this day celebrates the heroes who won Namibia's political independence, but that many Namibians cannot enjoy economic autonomy.
“As we commemorate Heroes' Day, we reflect on the sacrifices made by those who fought for our freedom and dignity. Let us remember that the fight for justice and equality extends beyond the battlefield; it lives on in our struggle for social and economic security for all our citizens,” the petition read.
Marches were also planned for Gobabis, Grootfontein, Katima Mulilo, Keetmanshoop, Mariental, Oshakati, Rundu and Walvis Bay. The march in Walvis Bay was cancelled since only 15 people turned up. However, the complaint was still handed over to Michael Jimmy on behalf of the chairman of the Erongo Regional Council, Benitha Imbamba.
Talks
The BIG coalition presented a talk on inequality and poverty last week and invited political parties to attend the event, however, several parties were not present. The only parties that showed up were Affirmative Repositioning (AR), the National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo), the Republican Party (RP) and the United Democratic Front (UDF).
The ruling party Swapo, the official political opposition, the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), the Landless People's Movement (LPM) and the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) were absent.
When asked, Swapo spokesperson, Hilma Nikanor, said she was unaware of the invitation while the secretary general of the PDM, Manuel Ngaringombe, said they were busy with the party's national congress in the Zambezi region.
Ngaringombe added that the PDM supports BIG, but believes it should not be a permanent intervention. “It is needed in the country. We believe it should not be a permanent thing that makes people dependent but should be well worked out,” he said.
LPM spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa said the party's president, Bernadus Swartbooi, could not attend the event due to an emergency, while IPC spokesperson Imms Nashinge, said that this party had not received an invitation, but Rinaani Musutua of the BIG Coalition confirmed that an invitation had been sent. He also added that the secretary general of the IPC, Christine Aochamus, said she could not attend because she was ill.