The Association of the Dependents of Namibia's Veterans (AODNDV) welcomes parliament's decision to amend the Veterans' Act so that the children of the liberation struggle can benefit from the government's veteran benefits. 

The announcement follows a parliament recommendation that the Ministry of Defence and Veterans' Affairs and the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations include dependents or children of veterans who are above the age of 18 years to benefit from the Veteran Act.

At a media briefing in Windhoek today, the spokesperson of AODVN said that the initiative is a significant step in addressing the plight of the children of the liberation struggle. 

Borro Ndungula says their exclusion has resulted in most of them facing many financial challenges. 

He says the association supports this recommendation because including them in the act will help both the dependents and the country's socioeconomic development. 

Ndungula says they welcome the recommendation but want it implemented quickly, as the children of the liberation struggle have been sidelined since the Veterans' Act took effect in 2008.

Parliament made the recommendation following a petition that was lodged by AODVN last year with the National Assembly requesting the amendment of the Veterans' Act of 2008, which excluded them from government veteran benefits.