Proposal for a National Pension Tracing Service in Namibia: A Private-Public Partnership Model

1. Executive Summary

This proposal outlines the establishment of a National Pension Tracing Service (NPTS) in Namibia, structured as a Private-Public Partnership (PPP). The NPTS aims to address the significant issue of lost pension accounts and unclaimed benefits, ensuring that Namibian citizens can easily locate and claim their rightful retirement savings. By leveraging the strengths of both the public and private sectors, the NPTS will enhance consumer protection, improve efficiency in the pension system, and foster greater trust among the populace.

2. Background and Rationale

The analysis of Namibia's pension landscape, juxtaposed with international experiences, highlights a pressing need for a centralised mechanism to reconnect individuals with their lost pension entitlements. The current system, which often places the onus on individuals to trace their benefits, has resulted in a substantial volume of unclaimed funds, affecting a considerable percentage of the population. A dedicated national tracing service, particularly one that combines governmental oversight with private sector agility and expertise, is crucial to rectify this situation.

3. Objectives of the National Pension Tracing Service (NPTS)

• Simplify Tracing: Provide a single, user-friendly point of contact for individuals to inquire about and trace all their pension entitlements across various pension funds and employers in Namibia.

• Reduce Unclaimed Benefits: Proactively identify and facilitate the reunification of lost pension accounts and unclaimed benefits with their rightful owners or beneficiaries.

• Enhance Transparency: Improve data collection and reporting on lost accounts and unclaimed benefits, offering greater transparency to regulators and the public.

• Increase Consumer Confidence: Build trust in the Namibian pension system by demonstrating a commitment to protecting members' interests and ensuring access to their savings.

• Improve Efficiency: Streamline the process for pension funds to manage and resolve lost accounts, reducing administrative burdens.

4. Private-Public Partnership (PPP) Model

This model proposes a collaborative framework where the Namibian government, through NAMFISA, provides the regulatory and oversight framework, while a private entity (or consortium) brings technological expertise, operational efficiency, and tracing capabilities.

4.1. Roles and Responsibilities

Public Sector (NAMFISA and relevant Government Ministries):

• Regulatory Oversight: Establish the legal and regulatory framework for the NPTS, including data submission requirements for all pension funds.

• Policy Direction: Define the strategic objectives, operational standards, and performance metrics for the NPTS.

• Data Governance: Ensure robust data protection, privacy, and security protocols are in place, in line with national and international best practices.

• Public Awareness Campaigns: Lead national campaigns to educate citizens about the NPTS and the importance of pension management.

• Dispute Resolution: Provide an independent mechanism for resolving complex disputes related to pension claims.

• Initial Funding/Seed Capital: Provide initial funding or guarantees to kickstart the establishment of the NPTS.

Private Sector Partner(s):

• Technology Development & Maintenance: Design, develop, and maintain the IT infrastructure for the NPTS, including a secure database and user-friendly online portal.

• Operational Management: Manage the day-to-day operations of the tracing service, including handling inquiries, processing tracing requests, and liaising with pension funds.

• Tracing Expertise: Employ advanced tracing methodologies and tools (e.g., data analytics, skip tracing) to locate missing individuals and beneficiaries.

• Customer Service: Provide professional and accessible customer support to individuals seeking to trace their pensions.

• Innovation: Introduce innovative solutions and best practices from international experience to continuously improve the service.

• Co-funding/Investment: Contribute financially to the establishment and ongoing operation of the NPTS, potentially through a revenue-sharing model or performance-based incentives.

4.2. Partnership Structure Options

Several PPP structures could be considered, depending on the desired risk allocation and investment:

• Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT): The private partner builds and operates the NPTS for a specified period, then transfers it to the government.

• Management Contract: The private partner manages the NPTS operations for a fee, with the government retaining ownership of assets and strategic control.

• Joint Venture: A new entity is formed, jointly owned and operated by public and private partners, sharing risks and rewards.

5. Benefits of the PPP Model

• Efficiency and Speed: Private sector expertise can accelerate the development and deployment of the service, bringing best-in-class technology and operational practices.

• Cost-Effectiveness: PPPs can often achieve better value for money by transferring risks to the private sector and leveraging private investment.

• Innovation: Private partners are incentivised to innovate and improve service delivery to meet performance targets.

• Specialised Skills: Access to specialised tracing and IT skills that may not be readily available within the public sector.

• Enhanced Public Trust: A well-run, efficient service, backed by both government authority and private sector professionalism, can significantly boost public confidence in the pension system.

6. Key Considerations for Implementation

• Legal and Regulatory Framework: Enacting specific legislation or regulations to enable the NPTS and define the obligations of pension funds to submit data and cooperate.

• Data Security and Privacy: Implementing stringent data protection measures and ensuring compliance with all relevant privacy laws (e.g., GDPR principles, if applicable, or a robust Namibian equivalent).

• Funding Model: Determining a sustainable funding mechanism, which could include a levy on pension funds, government allocation, or a fee-for-service model (for successful tracing, paid by the fund).

• Stakeholder Engagement: Comprehensive engagement with all stakeholders, including pension funds, trade unions, employer associations, and consumer advocacy groups, to ensure buy-in and successful implementation.

• Technology Infrastructure: Ensuring compatibility and secure data exchange between the NPTS and existing pension fund systems.

• Performance Metrics: Establishing clear, measurable key performance indicators (KPIs) for the NPTS to track its effectiveness in tracing and reuniting benefits.

7. Conclusion

The establishment of a National Pension Tracing Service through a Private-Public Partnership represents a forward-thinking solution to a persistent challenge in Namibia's pension system. By combining the regulatory power of the state with the innovation and efficiency of the private sector, Namibia can create a robust, reliable, and consumer-centric service that ensures citizens receive their rightful retirement savings, contributing to greater financial security and public welfare. This proposal serves as a foundational document for further detailed investigation and feasibility studies.

Tackling Lost Pension Accounts and Unclaimed Benefits in Namibia: Learning from International Best Practices

In Namibia today, unclaimed pension benefits represent a quiet crisis—one that affects thousands of workers, retirees, and families. According to the latest figures from NAMFISA (2023), over N$218.7 million in unclaimed benefits remain unresolved, impacting a significant portion of the 374,949 registered pension fund members. While this represents just 0.09% of total pension assets (N$237.1 billion), the human cost is far greater: families missing out on vital retirement income, survivors unable to access benefits left by loved ones, and workers losing the dignity they earned through years of contribution.

Namibia is not alone in facing this challenge. Around the world, countries grapple with lost pension accounts (when members lose contact with their fund) and unclaimed benefits (when retirees or beneficiaries fail to claim what is due). The difference is that some nations have taken bold steps to fix the problem—offering models Namibia can learn from.

What the International Experience Shows

1. The Magnitude of the Problem

• Australia: As of 2015, AU$16.2 billion in lost accounts and unclaimed benefits affected 6.3 million accounts.

• South Africa: By late 2016, R42.7 billion (US$3.05 billion) and 4.6 million members were affected—about 1.8% of total pension assets.

• Hong Kong China: In 2016, 55,000 accounts had HK$1.78 billion in unclaimed benefits.

• Chile, Ireland, Maldives, Switzerland also report similar problems, though with smaller proportions.

The pattern is clear: as pension systems mature and mobility increases, more accounts become “lost.”

2. Proven Approaches to Fixing the Problem

• Centralised Pension Registries

  • The UK set up a national pension register in 1991, funded by a small levy on funds.

  • Australia has a similar system that helps link members to their lost accounts.

  • In the USA, proposals exist to create a central depository through the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

• Tracing Services

  • The UK’s Pension Tracing Service (2005) helps individuals find lost pensions, with a focus on clear communication for lower-income groups.

  • Private companies such as Finders International also play a role, showing there is a business case for professional tracing.

• Clear Rules for Unclaimed Funds

  • Chile: After 20 years, unidentified balances are redistributed.

  • Romania: After three years, unclaimed benefits are added back into pension funds.

  • Other countries let property laws or courts decide—but all stress the need for rules that balance member protection with practical administration.

• Public Awareness Campaigns

  • The UK even has a “National Pensions Tracing Day” to encourage people to search for lost pensions.

    
    

Why Namibia Needs Reform

Namibia’s challenge is larger than most. Over one in three members are affected. That means families are missing out on vital retirement income and survivors cannot access benefits left by loved ones.

Several factors make this worse:

• High job mobility and casual work.

• Limited financial literacy and pension awareness.

• Outdated or incomplete contact details.

• A lack of centralised systems to track members across funds.

• Weak integration with Home Affairs records, especially for deceased members.

• Legal ambiguity around the fate of unclaimed benefits—often defaulting to the Guardian’s Fund after five years, where tracing becomes even harder.

If nothing is done, the problem will grow as the pension system matures and more workers change jobs throughout their careers.

A Proposal for Namibia

Drawing from international best practices, Namibia could adopt a multi-pronged solution:

1. Establish a Centralised Pension Registry

   • A single database to consolidate member records across all funds.

   • Could be funded through a small levy on registered pension plans.

   • Must include secure processes for updating contact details and linking with Home Affairs records (especially for deceased members).

2. Proactive Tracing Services

   • Pension funds should be required to make proactive efforts to trace missing members.

   • Independent tracing companies could also be licensed to assist.

3. Clear Legal Framework for Unclaimed Benefits

   • Define what happens to benefits that remain unclaimed after a set period (e.g., transfer to a guarantee fund, redistribution, or dedicated public-use fund).

4. Public Awareness Campaigns

   • Encourage individuals to search for lost pensions.

   • Promote education on the importance of keeping records, payslips, and updating contact details.

5. Stronger Supervisory Role

   • In line with IOPS Principles (2010) and OECD guidelines (2016), Namibian regulators must treat protecting members’ rights—including reconnecting them with lost benefits—as a central part of their mandate.

     
     

Conclusion

Namibia has an opportunity to lead Africa in solving the problem of lost pensions. By combining centralised systems, proactive tracing, public awareness, and clear rules, we can ensure that the money workers save over their lifetimes goes back to them and their families—where it belongs.

This is not only a matter of financial efficiency. It is a matter of justice, dignity, and trust in our pension system.

The Enduring Narrative: Unpacking the History of Coloured Namibians

The history of the Coloured community in Namibia is a complex narrative woven through colonial conquest, racial classification, displacement, resistance, and post-independence identity struggles. Often overlooked in mainstream national history, Coloured Namibians have played a unique and multifaceted role in shaping the socio-political fabric of the country. Their story begins long before formal borders were drawn and continues into the democratic era of modern Namibia.

Origins: Early 1800s and the Cape Influence

The term 'Coloured' historically refers to a diverse group of people of mixed racial ancestry, primarily stemming from unions between indigenous African groups, European settlers, and enslaved individuals from Asia brought to the Cape during Dutch and later British colonial rule. Many Coloured people in Namibia trace their origins to the Cape Colony, particularly from the early 1800s when mission stations and trade routes were established northwards into present-day Namibia.

As documented by Klaus Dierks, a prominent Namibian historian and civil engineer, early settlements of people of mixed descent in what would become Namibia date back to around 1811 [1]. Missionaries from the London Missionary Society, such as Joseph Tindall and Heinrich Schmelen, played a significant role in these early interactions [2]. Notably, Schmelen’s Khoekhoe wife, Zara, was instrumental in their missionary work, serving as a vital cultural and linguistic bridge [3]. These early engagements laid the groundwork for a burgeoning population later formally classified as 'Coloured' under South African apartheid, a term with deep social roots in the Cape and its surrounding regions.

Mid-to-Late 19th Century: Movement and Missionaries

During the mid-1800s, increased missionary activity and settler expansion from the Cape brought more Coloured artisans, evangelists, and workers into Namibia. Some were dispatched deliberately by mission societies, whilst others arrived as wagon drivers, interpreters, or traders. They often found themselves acting as mediators between indigenous communities and European colonists.

With the advent of German colonialism in the 1880s, the socio-political standing of Coloureds began to shift. Although not considered on par with Europeans, many Coloured individuals were able to access limited forms of education and employment, frequently serving in administrative or intermediary capacities under German rule. However, they were also precluded from land ownership and political power, reflecting their ambiguous position within colonial society.

German Colonial Rule (1884–1915): Limited Integration, Strategic Exclusion

Under German rule, racial hierarchies became increasingly rigid, particularly following the genocides of the Herero and Nama peoples (1904–1908). While the Germans generally perceived Coloureds as superior to ‘natives’, they were nonetheless subjected to discriminatory policies. Some Coloured families experienced forced relocation, restrictions on property rights, and limitations on upward mobility.

Despite these constraints, Coloured individuals were occasionally employed in semi-skilled roles, such as schoolteachers, clerks, or police assistants. A select few Coloured individuals managed to acquire an education through missionary schools, facilitating limited social advancement. However, their position remained precarious, caught between the dominant European colonisers and the subjugated indigenous populations.

South African Administration and the Rise of Racial Categorisation (1915–1948)

With South Africa’s occupation of Namibia during World War I, the insidious ideologies of apartheid from the Union of South Africa began to permeate the administrative landscape. The South African government progressively applied more stringent racial laws, meticulously classifying Coloureds as a distinct racial group, separate from both ‘Whites’ and ‘Natives’.

During the 1920s and 1930s, the influx of Coloured families from the Cape intensified, largely driven by employment opportunities on the South African railways and public works in southern and central Namibia. Consequently, dedicated Coloured schools and residential areas were established in towns such as Lüderitz, Keetmanshoop, and Windhoek (notably in areas like Khomasdal). However, these communities remained ensnared by racial segregation and legal discrimination. Legislation such as the Urban Areas Act severely restricted where Coloureds could reside and work. They were afforded no political representation and were frequently exploited to enforce policies against indigenous Africans, whilst simultaneously enduring their own marginalisation.

The Apartheid Era: 1948–1989

The implementation of full apartheid policies in 1948 heralded significant changes for Coloureds in Namibia. The government rigorously enforced forced removals and racial zoning, including the relocation of Coloured people in Windhoek to Khomasdal in the late 1950s and early 1960s, as an integral part of the broader Group Areas Act.

Educational institutions, such as the Dawid Bezuidenhout Secondary School, were established specifically for Coloured learners. While these offered superior resources compared to schools for Black Namibians, they still fell considerably short of the standards enjoyed by white schools. The apartheid state also orchestrated the creation of a Coloured Representative Authority in the 1970s, ostensibly as part of a scheme to install ‘ethnic’ self-governments. However, many Coloured Namibians vehemently rejected this token representation, perceiving it as a cynical attempt to fracture and dilute resistance to apartheid.

During the mid-1980s, a significant cultural clash emerged as school students, increasingly politically aware through teachers returning primarily from the University of the Western Cape (UWC), began to challenge their elders who were often anti-SWAPO. This embrace of black nationalism and rejection of the term “so-called coloured” led many young Coloured people to reject their cultural history and insist on a racially unified, independent Namibia [4].

Coloured people found themselves in an unenviable predicament: whilst privileged in certain respects compared to Black Namibians, they remained oppressed and systematically excluded from full citizenship. This precarious position galvanised many to become politically conscious, leading them to join the liberation struggle through organisations such as SWAPO, the Namibia National Students Organisation (NANSO), and various church movements.

Notably, several Coloured leaders emerged as pivotal figures in the anti-apartheid resistance. Their relative mobility and access to information proved invaluable in supporting underground movements and raising awareness. Conversely, some were accused of collaborating with the apartheid regime, a stark illustration of the community’s complex and often divided political landscape.

Post-Independence Namibia (1990–Present): Identity, Representation, and Belonging

With Namibia’s independence in 1990, the nation officially repudiated racial discrimination, embarking on a mission to forge a unified national identity. However, the enduring legacy of apartheid’s classification systems persisted. The Coloured community grappled with profound questions of identity: were they to be considered part of the ‘Black majority’, or did they constitute a distinct cultural group?

In the post-independence era, Coloured Namibians have continued to make significant contributions to national life across education, politics, business, and the arts. Prominent figures such as Pieter van Wyk and Milton Louw have been instrumental in redefining the role of Coloureds in public life.

• Pieter van Wyk is a revered traditional leader of the ≠Aonin (Topnaar) community, one of Namibia’s oldest Nama groups, based along the Kuiseb River in the Erongo Region. Although his ancestry includes indigenous Nama roots, many within his community identify as Coloured due to historical intermarriage and apartheid-era classification. He is widely recognised for his dedication to preserving indigenous knowledge, botany, and desert ecology, as well as advocating for his people’s land and cultural rights in the post-independence era.
• Milton Louw has emerged as a leading voice in consumer advocacy, tirelessly campaigning for transparency, equitable business practices, and regulatory accountability in Namibia. Through his insightful writings, engaging workshops, and media presence, he has empowered ordinary Namibians—particularly marginalised groups, including the Coloured community—to comprehend their rights and challenge exploitative systems. His activism seamlessly intertwines with broader social justice themes, such as inequality, access to credit, and public participation.

Despite these contributions, many Coloured individuals still perceive themselves as underrepresented in political discourse and marginalised by affirmative action policies that predominantly benefit ‘previously disadvantaged’ Black Namibians.

Furthermore, younger generations have wrestled with complex questions of cultural identity. Afrikaans remains a dominant language within many Coloured communities, a linguistic heritage that elicits both pride and criticism in post-apartheid Namibia. Notwithstanding these tensions, Coloureds endure as a resilient and dynamic component of Namibia’s rich multicultural society.

Conclusion

The history of Coloureds in Namibia reflects broader themes of colonisation, racial stratification, resilience, and post-independence identity formation. From their early presence alongside missionaries and traders, through marginalisation under both German and South African regimes, to the complicated realities of modern Namibia, the Coloured community’s journey is both unique and integral to the nation’s story.

Whilst they have often been defined by others in terms of what they are not — not white, not black — their lived experiences, contributions, and evolving identities demonstrate that they are not a fringe or forgotten group, but central participants in Namibia’s past and future.

References

[1] Klaus Dierks. (n.d.). 5-//Khauxa!nas in the Context of Namibian History. Retrieved from https://www.klausdierks.com/Khauxanas/5.htm [2] Wikipedia. (n.d.). Heinrich Schmelen. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinrich_Schmelen [3] Wikipedia. (n.d.). Zara Schmelen. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zara_Schmelen

[4] Wikipedia. (n.d.). Coloured people in Namibia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coloured_people_in_Namibia

Registered for Life? Not in Namibia!

 You’d think that registering your cellphone number in Namibia meant it was yours for life. That’s what I believed—until I found out the hard truth.

MTC, our biggest mobile operator, has a policy: if you don’t top up for six months, your number gets deactivated and recycled. Just like that, your “forever” number is gone. Want it back? You’ll have to apply for a new one—and there’s no guarantee you’ll get your old digits.

The whole point of registering SIM cards was to help with things like tracing people—whether for criminal investigations or even to reunite them with unclaimed money. But if the number is recycled every time someone goes half a year without topping up, that tracing system is already broken.

It’s a reminder that in Namibia, “registration” doesn’t mean permanent ownership—it just means your number is on file… until it isn’t.

See video: 
Registered for Life? Not in Namibia!

Beyond Misinformation: Why Namibia Needs Digital Sovereignty

The recent poll by NBC Digital News on the ethical use of social media sparked a vital conversation. While the overwhelming majority rightly pointed to fighting misinformation and fake news as the primary challenge, I contend that this focus, while crucial, only scratches the surface of a far more profound issue facing our nation: digital sovereignty.

Misinformation is a symptom, not the disease. The true ailment lies in our collective reliance on digital platforms and infrastructures that are neither owned nor controlled by Namibians. We are, in essence, digital tenants in a global landscape, subject to the whims and algorithms of foreign entities whose interests may not always align with our national aspirations.

The Peril of Digital Dependence: Why Foreign Platforms Fall Short

Our current digital reality is one of profound dependence. We connect, share, learn, and even conduct business on platforms designed and operated thousands of miles away. While these platforms offer undeniable convenience, they come with inherent risks that directly undermine our national development and ethical digital engagement:

• Data Vulnerability: Every click, every post, every interaction on these platforms generates data – a new form of currency in the digital age. This data, often personal and sensitive, is stored on foreign servers, subject to foreign laws, and potentially vulnerable to foreign interests. Namibia has initiated moves to establish technological sovereignty by investing in domestic data infrastructure and cybersecurity, with the construction of a data centre envisaged to better support the local digital economy and strengthen the country's digital sovereignty. However, the bulk of our social media data still resides beyond our direct control.
• Algorithmic Control and Bias: The algorithms that govern what we see and how we interact are opaque. They are designed to maximise engagement, often at the expense of nuanced discourse or exposure to diverse viewpoints. This can lead to the creation of 'echo chambers' and the amplification of sensational or divisive content, making the fight against misinformation an uphill battle. These algorithms are not programmed with the unique social fabric or developmental goals of Namibia in mind.
• Economic Leakage: The vast advertising revenues and data monetisation generated by our digital activity flow out of our economy. Imagine the potential if even a fraction of this digital wealth remained within Namibia, reinvested into local innovation, job creation, and digital infrastructure.
• Censorship and Control: In times of crisis or political sensitivity, foreign platforms can become tools for external influence or even censorship, potentially stifling local voices or narratives that do not align with their own corporate or national interests. This directly impacts our ability to shape our own national discourse and protect our sovereignty in the digital realm.

Digital sovereignty, therefore, is not merely a technical concept; it is a matter of national security, economic independence, and cultural preservation. It is about reclaiming control over our digital destiny.

The Path to Digital Sovereignty: Building Our Own Digital Future

So, how do we move from digital dependence to digital sovereignty? The answer lies not in isolation, but in strategic investment in our own capabilities and a fundamental shift in mindset. We must embrace the spirit of self-reliance that defined our liberation struggle and apply it to the digital frontier.

1. Invest in Local Infrastructure and Data Centres: The foundation of digital sovereignty is physical. We must accelerate the development of robust, secure, and locally-owned data centres and internet infrastructure. This ensures that our data resides within our borders, subject to our laws, and accessible for our own innovation. Namibia is already making strides in this direction, with plans for data centre construction to support the local digital economy.
2.  Cultivate Homegrown Digital Platforms: Why should our national conversations, our community building, and our local commerce be confined to platforms built and controlled by Silicon Valley or Beijing? The time has come for Namibian innovation to rise to the challenge. Imagine a national social network, developed by our own universities like NUST or UNAM, tailored to our unique cultural nuances, and designed to serve the interests of our people. Such a platform would not only foster local content creation but also keep the economic benefits of digital engagement within our economy. African apps are already paving the way for digital sovereignty by owning and operating social media platforms within the continent, ensuring data security and sovereignty.
3. Prioritise Digital Literacy and Skills Development: True digital empowerment comes from understanding, not just consumption. Our education system must aggressively integrate digital literacy, coding, and cybersecurity from an early age. The Youth Coding Initiative, which is delivering tablets to schools and integrating coding and AI, is a commendable step. We need to equip our youth not just to be users of technology, but to be its architects, innovators, and guardians. This is how we build a knowledge-based society capable of competing and thriving in the global digital economy.
4. Develop Robust Regulatory Frameworks: Digital sovereignty also requires a legal and policy framework that protects our citizens, promotes fair competition, and safeguards our national interests in the digital realm. This includes data protection laws, cybersecurity policies, and regulations that encourage local digital entrepreneurship while holding foreign platforms accountable.

Beyond the 'Free-for-All': A Call to Action

The notion that social media will always be a 'free-for-all' is a dangerous resignation. It is a surrender of our agency in shaping the digital spaces that increasingly define our lives. The ethical use of social media is not merely about individual responsibility in avoiding fake news or promoting respect; it is fundamentally about collective responsibility in building a digital ecosystem that serves our national interests.

This is not a call for digital isolation, but for digital self-determination. It is a challenge to our youth, our innovators, our policymakers, and our educators to collaborate in building a digital future that is truly Namibian – one that is secure, equitable, and empowers every citizen. Let us move beyond being mere consumers of technology and become its masters, shaping it to reflect our values and advance our collective prosperity. Only then can we truly ensure the ethical use of social media in today's digital age, and indeed, in the digital ages to come.