Pensioners at Swakopmund say they are still in shock and devastation over the death of President Hage Geingob, whom they described as a hero.

Pensioners at the Mondesa Multi-Purpose Centre all wanted to say something about his legacy and spoke with passion in their vernacular languages and Afrikaans as they remembered the times that the late president spent with them.

Erongo Governor Neville Andre decided not to present his prepared speech so that the senior citizens would have enough time to express their feelings.

The Minister of Finance has announced an increase in social grants to cushion vulnerable members of society against the rising cost of food prices.

Iipumbu Shiimi made the much-welcomed announcement in Parliament on Tuesday as he delivered the mid-term budget for the years 2022 to 2023.

The Finance Minister said N$5.2 million has been added to the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare's budget to make the increases possible.

Backdated to October 2022, the food bank recipients' grants will be increased from N$500 to N$600 per month.