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Local communities benefit from successful documentation initiative
MARGINALISED COMMUNITIES
In a significant step towards inclusivity and social justice, the Namibian government has concluded a successful pilot project aimed at addressing the lack of national documentation among marginalised communities. The initiative, led by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare, provided over 1,000 members of the San community in the Guinas Constituency in the Oshikoto Region with essential national documents.
The initiative, conducted between 22 October and 8 November 2024, ensured legal recognition for participants, granting them access to critical government services and benefits. In addition, 200 San community members were registered for social grants, including the old-age grant, disability grant and orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) grant, which are pivotal in supporting the health, education and daily needs of recipients to help improve the livelihoods of one of the country’s most underserved communities.
The documentation efforts took place across several areas, including Tsintsabis, Oerwoud, Tsumeb, Kuvukiland, Farm Ombili, Farm Ondera and Oshivelo. The success of the initiative was attributed to the collaborative efforts of regional leaders, village development committees (VDCs), church leaders and dedicated teams from both ministries.
OTWEYA FIRE VICTIMS
In a related effort, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security also provided 45 identity cards and 58 birth certificates to victims of the fire at Otweya informal settlement in Kuisebmond at the coastal town of Walvis Bay. The fire, which occurred in October this year, left over 100 residents homeless, destroying critical personal documents. As part of the government’s initiative to support fire victims, replacement documents were issued free of charge, enabling those affected to regain access to essential services.
The ministry reaffirms the government’s dedication to ensuring that all citizens, regardless of background or circumstance, have equal access to services, benefits and recognition.
NEWBORN BABIES
Registration for newborns and undocumented babies is currently underway. The ministry has collaborated with the Ministry of Health and Social Services, linking services with a birth notification system at hospitals and some health centres across the country. “When a child is born at the hospital or a newborn delivered at home is brought to the hospital within 24 hours, the healthcare personnel will capture the birth on the system using the mother’s national documents. This process makes it easier for birth registration because even if the mother decides to register the birth after a year, the birth is notified on the system and remains available as proof that she has indeed given birth in that specific year,” said Etienne Maritz, the executive director at the ministry.
However, the ministry is concerned about some mothers who are unable to register their newborn babies immediately after birth due to cultural beliefs and, in some cases, absent fathers. The ministry is therefore considering upscaling the education of mothers to utilise the system in place to register their newborn babies immediately after birth. “In cases where the father is not available, mothers can register their newborn babies on their surnames without the father’s information and once the father becomes available, the birth certificate can be changed to add the father’s particulars and change the surname of the child,” Maritz added.
REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTRATION (0-1 YEAR)
• Proof of birth from where the baby was born
• Marriage certificate if parents are married
• Declaration and IDs of both parents wishing to have their names on the birth certificate
• Parent’s passport for non-Namibian parent wishing to have their name on the birth certificate
• No fees payable for acquiring a birth certificate for the first time
With the pilot project having been a success, the ministry and its stakeholders will now analyse the findings and lessons learnt and extend the programme to other areas in need. The ministry reaffirms the government’s dedication to ensuring that all citizens, regardless of background or circumstance, have equal access to services, benefits and recognition.
