11 Feb 2025

Old age pensioners have lauded government for increasing their pension to P1 400 effective April 1.

This came after the Minister of Finance Mr Ndaba Gaolathe’s announcement during the budget speech on Monday that the old age pension would increase from P830 to P1 400.

Kazungula resident Ms Gaeneelwe Munyanya expressed gratitude highlighting that the money would help close the gaps in her household.

She said she was very optimistic about the new government hence believed it was possible that as the economy stabilised,  they would not be left behind.

A former public service employee, Ms Munyanya noted that she received her retirement package after exiting the public service in 2019. A huge difference was made for her when she started receiving old age pension when she turned 65 years.

She highlighted that the cost of living was very high due to inflation and said it rendered survival on the P830 pension difficult.

She said the fact that they were the first to receive a shot in the arm in terms of old age pension increase, showed that  government cared for the elderly.

Another Kazungula resident Mr Edwin Mwirima also thanked the government for increasing old age pension. He said the money would help pay utility bills and buy groceries for his household.

He indicated that the increment was good news, noting however that some may still complain that it was too little for them.

He said recent reports from government had shown that the economy had declined with government coffers running at a deficit. He was however confident that with time,

Botswana would be prosperous resulting in every Motswana being well taken care of Muchenje born Ms Diketso Gabaitumele welcomed the good news with a beaming smile saying this was expected from the new government having promised them a better living during their political campaigns.

She stated that the move gave the elderly hope in the new Botswana, adding that it was possible that with time the country would generate revenue that could cushion the youth. ENDS