N$1 billion spent on veterans’ grants
Veterans’ grants dominated spending in the 2025/2026 financial year, with the ministry of defence’s largest cost driver being the payment of monthly support, as over N$1 billion was spent benefiting 23,694 veterans by March 2026.
This accounted for 68.41% of the total allocation. According to deputy minister of defence and veterans affairs Charles Mubita, veterans affairs received an allocation of N$1,5 billion, of which 94.16% was effectively utilized.
“This expenditure was primarily directed towards initiatives enhancing veterans’ welfare and preserving the history of the Liberation Struggle for future generations,” he said during a budget motivation on Monday in parliament.
“Other expenditures included: An amount of N$313 million to pay 1,840 veterans for Individual Veterans’ Projects (IVPs). N$30 million for once-off gratuities to 609 beneficiaries granted veteran status through successful appeals. N$2,5 million was spent on funeral assistance of 363 veterans. N$834,523 for medical assistance to 37 veterans,”
“For the financial year 2026/2027, the programme has been allocated an amount of N$1,3 billion to pay the Monthly Subvention; Improvement of Welfare Grant for Ex-PLAN Combatant Veterans; Once-off Gratuity (Lump-sum); Individual Veterans Projects (IVPs); Medical assistance and Psychosocial support; and for the activities of the Veterans Board and National Honours Advisory Committee,”
He highlighted that the main objective of the Liberation Struggle Heritage programme is to ensure that the history of the liberation struggle of Namibia is preserved and kept alive.
“This is achieved through research and documentation, collection and preservation of materials or artifacts, identification and marking of sites where acts of the liberation struggle occurred, and erection of monuments. For the fiscal year 2026/2027, the program is allocated an amount of N$13 million for funeral assistance to families of deceased veterans, erection of tombstones, identification and marking of heritage sites, exhumation and re-interment of the remains of the martyrs,”
Mubita added that to ensure effective administration and personnel support to this programme, the ministry has been allocated an amount of N$126 million towards the payment of personnel expenditure and administrative activities for Vote 31 – Veterans Affairs.
“The Ministry remains committed to implementing programmes that enhance veterans’ socio-economic well-being while preserving Namibia’s liberation heritage. Regular monitoring and evaluation will ensure effective service delivery and improved organizational performance,”
Last week, Mubita proposed increasing monthly veteran allowances to N$5 000, citing stagnant grants and poor living conditions.
Currently, N$2 200 per month is paid to eligible veterans who are retired, unemployed, or earn less than N$3 000 a month.
If a veteran dies, the monthly grant is transferred to their dependants, with 55% allocated to their spouse and 45% to their children under the age of 18.
Mubita proposed this in the National Assembly during his contribution to the 2026/27 national budget last week.
