Some members of parliament have called on the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs to look into allocating funds for research and documentation of the history and legacy of war veterans.
The MPs made this call during their contribution towards the Veterans Affairs budget allocation in the National Assembly.
Swapo MP Willem Amutenya acknowledged progress in preserving the liberation struggle history but urged more action beyond erecting monuments. He suggested turning battle sites into liberation struggle historic museums to better convey veterans' history.
Associate Professor Job Amupanda, leader of the AR Movement and MP, pointed out that while N$21 billion was allocated as lump sum funds, there was zero funding for research and documentation of veterans' history. He described this as a significant problem that needs addressing.
IPC leader and MP Immanuel Nashinge stressed the need to engage living war veterans, especially in regions like Oshikoto, to capture their memories before they are lost. He also noted the absence of shrines for PLAN fighters in some areas and called for their inclusion in historical research and commemoration.
The Deputy Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs said the ministry has been working on documenting the war veterans and will be opening a military museum as part of this process.
"History is told by the one who writes it. There is history, political history, and politics of history, which is not a true reflection, and we run into problems when academics write it as they add research from America with no colouration."
Other MPs also raised concerns regarding qualifications for veteran status and differentiation in veteran grants.
Swapo Party MP Modesus Atshipara highlighted the erosion of the value of veterans’ grants over time, noting that the N$2,400 monthly grant set in 2008 no longer holds the same purchasing power after 17 years of inflation. “Maybe in the midterm or wherever we get the opportunity to say, ‘Let’s increase the vote budget,” Atshipara said, also calling for enhanced awareness campaigns on medical assistance and psychological support for veterans.
Fellow Swapo MP Tuulikki Abraham stressed the need for swift implementation of the veterans’ budget, stating, “We need to move fast and waste no time towards the implementation of this budget, which is what the Namibian people want to see on the ground. I therefore support the vote.”
NUDO MP Vetaruhe Kandorozu addressed the issue of reconciliation, pointing out that some Namibians were conscripted into the South African army against their will during the liberation struggle. “Let us look at the issue of the reconciliation part of it. We have the people who fought under the SA army, and some of your parents were there – they were taken against their will, they were pushed into the battlefield, and we have a policy of reconciliation. When are we going to reconcile with them?” Kandorozu asked.
Swapo MP Alpheus !Naruseb drew attention to dissatisfaction among those who fought within the country, noting visible disparities in the grants received. “There is a large number of people who fought inside the country and are not happy, especially the differentiation in the submerge is visible, raising questions of whether their inputs were not enough as the ones outside,” !Naruseb said.
Dr. Mubita replied that the ministry is looking at amending the Veterans Act to address these challenges, including looking into disparities of payments.
He also acknowledged that there is a need to intensify awareness regarding veteran benefits, as many are still not aware.