The Universal Basic Income Grant Coalition is demanding that every citizen below the age of 60 be entitled to a monthly grant of N$500, as opposed to the government's conditional grant.

This was revealed at a meeting of the coalition in the capital.

The rally aimed to inform the public about why a Basic Income Grant is essential and what impact it will have.

The coalition held nationwide marches two months ago, after which they handed over a petition to Minister Doreen Sioka, who received it on behalf of the president.

Members of the Coalition, Victoria Kalwenya, stated that the unconditional basic income grant has the potential to reduce poverty, malnutrition, and the uneven distribution of funds.

The conditional grant provided by the government currently only applies to those who have been benefiting from the Food Bank and those falling under the Marginalised Feeding Programme.

Kalwenya added that the income grant should be universal and not discriminate against income or living conditions.

"If the government is serious about eradicating poverty, a Universal Basic Income Grant of $500 a month per person for all Namibians aged zero to 59 may represent a better strategy to do it. Objecting Universal Basic Income Grant, a welfare programme that has been scientifically validated by various studies to be by far the fastest and most cost-efficient in addressing poverty."

Another member of the Universal Basic Income Grant, Tjipura Tjipura, said the current conditional basic income grant of the government is ineffective as it discriminates and leaves loopholes due to the fact that it is funded from the already existing food bank programme and the Special Feeding Programme.

"This programme has failed immensely, and it has not even reached its first stage. So what do we want as a Universal Basic Income Grant Coalition? We want the government to give people what they deserve."

Tjipura pointed out that the Universal Income Grant should be funded with the money the government makes from the country's resources, as it belongs to all citizens.