Ihemba questions progress on N$10 million cash-for-work funding
Vilho Ihemba has called on the government to account for the implementation of the reinstated food-for-work and cash-for-work programme, questioning how much of the allocated N$10 million has been spent and how many unemployed Namibians have benefited.
The issue was raised in the National Assembly, Ihemba questioned the Prime Minister on the programme's implementation status, the utilisation of funds and the employment opportunities created since its reinstatement.
He recalled that on 13 July 2025, the Prime Minister announced that Cabinet had approved the reinstatement of the food-for-work and cash-for-work programme. Government subsequently made further announcements concerning employment opportunities for unemployed vocational graduates, while the Prime Minister emphasised in June 2026 that the programme should be protected from budget cuts.
In July 2026, an allocation of N$10 million was announced for the programme for the 2026/2027 financial year.
However, Ihemba is now seeking clarity on how much of the allocation has actually been disbursed and utilised, which projects have received funding and what tangible employment and livelihood outcomes have been achieved. He also questioned how many unemployed Namibians had benefited from the programme since its reinstatement, arguing that young people had waited for promised employment opportunities.
Referring to the importance of the programme, he further said some young people had grown older while waiting for the promised 5000 jobs, describing the initiative as a potentially important opportunity for economic freedom.
He further called on the government to provide a clear national implementation timeline and establish a sustainable funding framework to ensure the programme delivers meaningful employment opportunities.
