02 Apr 2023

It is critical to specifically subsidise utilities for old age pensioners when delivering the old age pension programme, says Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Sethabelo Modukanele.

Answering a question in Parliament recently, Mr Modukanele said that, however, would only done when funds permitted. “Botswana is among a few countries in the world that have achieved universal pension coverage. The nature of a universal programme is that all pensioners are eligible for the pension, regardless of whether or not they have other sources of income,” he said. 

In that regard, he said the programme had successfully managed to provide income security to older people aged 65 years and above. “Even though the old age pension programme was started as a token of appreciation for all Batswana elderly persons for having contributed to the development of their country in their different capacities, it has assisted to cushion the vulnerable and Batswana attach sentimental value and pride to the old pension allowance,” he said.

Mr Modukanele said he was not aware of the subsidised payments of water and electricity for old age pensioners in Namibia.

“As a country that is committed to the welfare and protection of vulnerable populations such as old age pensioner, we have social protection programmes in place targeting elderly persons and these are old age pension and World War II veterans’ allowance,” he said.

Furthermore, he noted that in Botswana, water and electricity were already subsidised and such was enjoyed by everybody including old age pensioners.

“This gesture is aligned to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in meeting the needs and welfare of the old age pensioners which Botswana committed to, including the need to maintain a balance between the adequacy and sustainability of old age pension to ensure discipline,” he said. 

He explained that from time to time, the ministry undertook benchmarking exercises on best practices aimed at enhancing the old age pensioners.

“Countries in the SADC region are candidates for benchmarking on old age pension including Namibia. The benchmarking exercise can also be reciprocal process as for, example, Namibia has in the past benchmarked with my ministry in areas such as local economic development and district planning system,” he added.

Member of Parliament for Ghanzi South, Mr Motsamai Motsamai had said that in other countries such as Namibia, payments for water and electricity were subsidised for old age pensioners.

Mr Motsamai had wanted to know if government would realise the need to benchmark with Namibia and extend the water and electricity subsidy to old age pensioners. ends