Child maintenance allowance not increased for 22 years
Set at paltry $350 per month
Government documents show that N$416.6 million was allocated for maintenance grants in the 2025 fiscal year.
Government has received criticism for failure to increase the N$350 state maintenance allowance since 2003, despite multiple inflationary increases over the past 22 years.The Maintenance Act 9 of 2003, which was signed in July 2003 and came into effect in November of the same year, was intended to regulate maintenance obligations and ensure support for vulnerable children. The allowance was set at N$350 per month and it has never been reviewed.
Government documents show that N$416.6 million was allocated for maintenance grants in the 2025 fiscal year. Between April and June alone, more than N$105.6 million was paid out to eligible households.
Beneficiaries include children of parents earning less than N$1 000 a month, orphans, and children whose parents have been incarcerated for more than six months.
A senior official at the Ministry of Gender and Child Welfare, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed that the amount of the allowance has remained unchanged since its introduction. The official pointed out that although the finance ministry now oversees the grants, his ministry continues to process applications and forward them for approval. “There are currently no discussions about revising the amount,” he said.
'Unaware'
The civil servant also admitted that many people were unaware of the subsidy, blaming poor communication and the transfer of responsibilities between ministries. “People have a right to this information and to this money,” the person said. “But we are not doing our job properly to make sure everyone knows about it. I have designed some posters, but the departments are not distributing them.”
Other social benefits, on the other hand, have been increased over time, and conditional basic income support (CBIG) has been newly introduced.
Political scientist Dr Ndumba Kamwanyah has warned that public pressure on the government could increase as more Namibians realise that the state maintenance allowance has not been increased for more than two decades.
“As more people become aware that the level of support has remained unchanged since 2003, there could be a public outcry or pressure on the government to adjust it,” Kamwanyah told Network Media Hub. "People may question the government's priorities and commitment to supporting vulnerable children. This could lead to calls for a review of the policy, protests, or even legal action."
Kamwanyah said that inflation had eroded the value of this amount. “In 2025, this amount would not even cover basic needs such as food, clothing, or school supplies. It is outdated and does not reflect the current cost of living,” he said.