Justicia Shipena
The Namibian Inside Kids Association (NIKA) has asked parliament’s standing committee on constitutional and legal affairs to stop amendments to the Veterans Act of 2008 that would extend benefits to all children born in exile.
In a letter dated 17 September 2025, NIKA said such changes would worsen the exclusion of Namibians born inside the country during and after the liberation struggle.
The association defines “inside kids” as all Namibians born within the borders of the Republic before and after independence, regardless of region or ethnicity.
It said these citizens have long faced economic hardship despite living through apartheid and post-independence struggles.
NIKA president and former Swapo loyalist Reinhold Shipwikineni said the current system unfairly favours returnees and children of exile.
“We are Namibians by birth and not only by registration. We are also entitled to benefit from our natural resources and to receive monthly grants of N$2,200 from the Government of the Republic of Namibia,” he said.
He pointed out that some members of the National Exile Kids Association (NEKA) have found jobs in state security while their parents received veteran project funding, resettlement, and other state support.
Shipwikineni said, “Inside, kids continue to face unemployment, poverty, and lack of representation.”
NIKA argued that article 10 of the Namibian constitution prohibits discrimination based on social or economic status, while article 23 allows for affirmative action to redress past imbalances.
The association warned that focusing support only on war veterans and exiles risks undermining the principle of equality.
“The practice of providing grants and projects to war veterans and former exiles can be considered affirmative action, but the perceived exclusion of other economically disadvantaged citizens raises valid concerns,” Shipwikineni said.
The association called for a review of government policies to prevent new forms of exclusion while addressing historical injustices.
It urged lawmakers to hold public discussions to ensure government actions remain in line with constitutional principles of fairness and equality.
Caption
Children born during the Liberation Struggle of Namibia also known as ‘struggle kids’ have previously demanded to be registered under the ministry of veteran affairs.
- Photo: Contributed
