Social Security in Mariental and Outapi

The Social Security Commission has officially inaugurated two of its new service centres in Mariental and Outapi. The events took place on the 22 November and 26 November respectively.

At the inauguration in Outapi which took place this week Tuesday, speaking on behalf of the Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Hon Doreen Sioka, the ministry’s PS, George Simaata said his ministry considers the new Outapi Social Security office as part of the process of reforming the Social Security Commission and restoring the public confidence, trust and image of this institution.

“The Social Security Commission, being a public trustee organization, must at all times be focused if it wants to remain relevant to the public. The funds that the Social Security Commission collects, administers and invests are by law public funds. It is thus the duty of the Commission and its management to make sure that these funds are correctly disbursed and responsibly invested,” he added.
“As we all know, the purpose of any social security system in the world is, amongst other things, to provide social safety nets and social protection to its members or beneficiaries. In order to do that, social security administrators have a primary duty of ensuring that the social safety nets and social protection are relevant and serve their intended purposes on a sustainable basis. In addition, it is expected that the services offered by the institution charged with the responsibility of administering a safety net programme are accessible to a wide majority of the citizens in the most cost efficient manner,” he said.
Honourable Sophia Shaningwa, Governor of the Omusati Region said the country is facing issues of labour unrest which created a situation that destabilized markets and crippled the economy. “Employers and employees must find amicable solutions through negotiations and not strikes and unrest. They must be able to negotiate in good faith for the sake of the country and sacrifice where possible in give and take situations.”
Lydia Povanhu, Satellite Head of the SSC Outapi office “we are at your service to deliver our mandate, that of providing social security benefits to all you the employers, your workforce and their dependents and other beneficiaries.“
Speaking at the inauguration in Mariental which took place last week Friday, Kenandei Tjivikua, Executive Officer of the Social Security Commission said that it is the SSC’s resolve to give life to central government’s policy of decentralisation and bringing services closer to the people.
“I have to point out that these exciting developments are taking place in the context of an increased commitment by the Namibian Government to reduce poverty and social inequalities as well as a heightened global momentum to establish and maintain national floors of social protection,” said Tjivikua.
He announced that the International Labour Organization has recently adopted Recommendation No 202 of 2012 concerning national social protections floors. “The adoption of this Recommendation recognizes that the human right to social security is an investment that helps overcome extreme poverty, reduces social inequalities, promotes equal opportunities and empowers people.”