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Giving war vets their due
By Asser Ntinda
Helping Namibia's approximately 40 000 war veterans will remain one of the priorities of the government as it tries to find a lasting solution to this perennial problem which has been an irritating and itchy eyesore for the government since independence in 1990.
Not all the war veterans could be absorbed in the army, the police and the public service at independence, and those left out felt neglected and abandoned in the country they had fought to liberate.
But Veterans Affairs Minister, Dr Nickey Iyambo, says this problem will remain closest to his heart until a lasting solution is found and war veterans are fully integrated in the mainstream economy.
"Namibia is what it is today because of these people," he said a few weeks ago as he handed out business projects to 72 war veterans whose business plans were approved by the Veterans Board.
Dr Iyambo has vowed to pull out all the stops and use the money allocated to his Ministry to ensure that the objectives set out in the five-year strategic plan were achieved and every veteran is rewarded, as a token of appreciation, for his or her contribution to Namibia's independence – now the oasis of peace and stability which Namibians enjoy today.
"The process of integrating war veterans into the mainstream economy will continue as long as this Ministry exists," he said. "This Ministry will remain relevant as long as there is a war veteran out there.
"Helping war veterans is a token of appreciation for what these people had done for Namibia. They sacrificed a lot for Namibia to be what it is today. No monetary value will equal their sacrifices, but this is a small way of saying thank you for what you did for Namibia."
The Ministry of Veterans Affairs was set up in 2006 to address the plight of Namibia's former freedom fighters who were in exile and those who remained inside the country, through initiating, promoting and implementing viable and sustainable programmes and projects which had the potential to uplift their living standards.
"The implementation of the projects is speeding up the integration process of veterans into the mainstream economy of the country as it will contribute to generate income, and create employment, thus helping veterans to be self-sufficient," said Dr Iyambo
The first 72 business projects which were approved would cost slightly over N$13,15 million. The Ministry grants up to N$200 000 to every veteran's business project which the Board approves on the basis of its viability.
Ten per cent of the approved money goes to the veteran, while 90 per cent goes to a service provider Most of the projects approved are in tailoring, cattle farming, bakery, tractors and discs, poultry, threshers and hammer millers, transport, tyre repair, accommodation, grocery shops, mini-markets, crop farming, health care clinics, welding, tents and chair hire, lodges, clearing and forwarding services, security services, consultancies, thatch grass, horticulture and so on. Some of the applicants already had established businesses.
They only applied for grants to strengthen and expand their businesses. Others are venturing into business for the first time, and that is where the government will keep an eye on, monitoring the operations and providing back-up support to ensure success.
"This is not a loan," said Dr Iyambo. "This is a grant. You are not paying back this money. You must work hard to ensure that your businesses succeed. Use the money wisely "The commitment to fund veterans' projects will continue every financial year, depending on the availability of funds. Therefore, veterans are urged to be patient as applications are many. I urge you to put in extra effort to make your businesses a success and to set a good example for other veterans whose projects are yet to be funded."
This year's applications are yet to be funded. The availability of funds will determine how many business projects will be funded this year. Many of the veterans live in difficult and squalid conditions, having no jobs to support themselves or their family members.
Apart from business projects, some qualified veterans receive N$2500 every month. Houses for war veterans are also being built around the country. War veterans also receive a N$50 000 and N$20 000 once off payments, depending on the category in which one falls.
Those who went into exile from 1960 to 1987 would receive N$50 000, while those who went from 1988 and 1989 would receive N$20 000 once off payments. This payment process is being implemented gradually in three groups – from 1960 to 1973, from 1974 to 1979, and from 1980 to 1989.
Last year, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs was allocated N$274 million. This financial year's allocation is now over N$1,30 billion. Many people believe that the current attempts may offer the lasting solution to this problem.
There have been various programmes to solve this problem since independence, such as the Development Brigade Corporation, DBC, and the Socio-Economic Integration Programme for Ex-Combatants, SIPE, but they only succeeded to offer temporary jobs, and ex-combatants were once again without jobs.
The Ministry of Veterans Affairs was set up in 2006 to address this issue once and for all. President Hifikepunye Pohamba signed the Veterans Act into law the following year, and the registration of veterans started shortly thereafter. President Pohamba made it clear at that time that only those who fought for the liberation of the country, not against it, would qualify as war veterans.
Swartbooi Willy Urjon, a small stock farmer from the south, was one of the 72 veterans whose projects was approved. He was more than excited, and commended the government for what it had done for him. He received N$172 120, 00 to improve his smallstock farming.
"Today is a great day for me," he said. "I am very happy. Our government is doing Its best. This is not propaganda. This is a reality. I am proud of my government. Thank you for a job well done. We are grateful for what the government has done for us."
Last year, the Ministry received more than 1500 applications and only 72 were approved. This year the Ministry is expected to be flooded with thousands of applications competing for the limited money there is.
But Dr Iyambo is set to make a success of it. "May this be the beginning of self-sustainment to a happy and dignified life," he told the veterans.