31 Jul 2017

Several MPs who contributed to the debate on the motion calling for the increase of the old age pension have argued that there is need for the pension to be increased.

MPs argued that given the contribution of the elderly in building the country, it was appropriate that they be appreciated by according them a pension that could permit them to live comfortably in an era in which the cost of living has become high.

Contributing to the debate, MP Ignatius Moswaane of Francistown West said it was sad that despite having worked tirelessly for the nation, the elderly were not being properly cared for.

Mr Moswaane said Botswana was endowed with wealth, especially from minerals, and that the country could afford to properly look after its elderly.

He said what was needed was for the country to set its priorities right and put the elderly at the forefront.

Mr Moswaane said poverty impacted negatively on one’s dignity hence the need for the country to extricate its elderly from the jaws of the social ill by giving them a better pension.

Mogoditshane MP, Mr Sedirwa Kgoroba noted that the poor were often despised, saying it was important that the elderly be assisted appropriately so that they could live dignified lives.

He said the poverty that the elderly were living in was compounded by high unemployment that affected mostly the youth.

He said as a result of young people not having jobs, the elderly were burdened with taking care of their grown children as well as grand children in some instances.

Mr Kgoroba also said inflation should be seen as a motivating factor for increasing the old age pension.

He noted that inflation had eroded the buying power of people with personal pensions, and that those dependent only on the old age pension would have difficulty meeting life’s demands on just the little that government was giving them.

Mr Kgoroba disagreed with the contention that there were no funds to cater for an increased old age pension, saying levies such as the plastic levy and the tobacco levy should be used as sources of the extra funds needed.

Molepolole South MP, Dr Tlamelo Mmatli also supported those calling for the increase of the pension. He agued that the elderly were taking care of large families, and could not meet their families’ daily needs with the amount they were given as old age pension.

He said it was not true that there were no funds with which to increase the old age pension. He said what was necessary was re-prioritising.

Boteti West MP and Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Slumber Tsogwane was one of those who did not support the motion.

Mr Tsogwane said in addition to the old age packages, there were other associated packages within the social protection programme.

He said if the programme was unpacked, it would be clear that government was already doing more than what the motion proposed.

Ms Botlogile Tshireletso, who is the MP for Mahalapye East and Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, also said government was already doing a lot for the elderly.

She noted that there were 108 733 elderly people receiving old age pension.

Of the total, Ms Tshireletso said 23 086 were, in addition to the pension, being assisted through the destitute programme through which they received food baskets and cash allowances.

Furthermore, she pointed out that 1 662 of the elderly were, in addition to the aforementioned, given World War II veterans allowances.

That, she said, was evidence that government was already doing a lot in caring for its elderly.

On the proposal by Dr Mmatli to amend the motion by adding that there be a comprehensive review of the pension scheme in addition to the increase, MPs Duma Boko and Polson Majaga of

Gaborone Bonnington North and Nata-Gweta respectively supported the proposed amendment.

Palapye MP, Mr Moiseraele Goya disagreed with the proposal and MP Fidelis Molao of Shashe West, also concurred that the amendment was improper.

Mr Molao said increasing the pension and thereafter undertaking a comprehensive review was illogical, wondering what would then be done if the review later proved the new pension amount unsustainable.

Selebi Phikwe West MP, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse had tabled the motion calling on government to increase the old age pension to P1 500. He had argued that increasing the old age pension would cushion the elderly against the high cost of living, saying the P430 being given as old age pension was insufficient to allow for the comfortable survival of the elderly. ENDS