The end of Epupa Investment Technology’s contract to distribute social grants in Namibia on September 30, 2025, has left a visible gap in service delivery one that the new system under NamPost has yet to fill effectively.
Since NamPost officially took over payments on October 1, chaos and long queues have become the new reality for pensioners and other social grant beneficiaries, particularly in the Zambezi Region.
Residents are now openly calling for the return of EPUPA, and their frustration is justified. Under EPUPA, payments were generally efficient and reached communities promptly, even in remote areas.
Today, despite NamPost’s early opening hours and mobile payment services for those living more than five kilometres from a branch, elderly citizens continue to endure endless waiting times and confusion.
NamPost’s efforts to modernise and centralise the system are commendable, but the transition appears poorly managed. What was meant to be an improvement has, in many cases, become a burden.
Pensioners many of whom are frail and dependent on these grants for survival, deserve better than spending hours in line under harsh weather conditions.
The government must urgently review the current arrangement. If NamPost is to continue as the sole distributor, it must increase staff capacity, expand mobile outreach teams, and ensure efficient crowd management at payment points. Alternatively, policymakers should consider reinstating EPUPA or partnering with other experienced service providers to share the workload and restore order.
The people of Zambezi have made their message clear: they want a system that works, not one that leaves them waiting under the sun for what is rightfully theirs. Whether it’s through EPUPA’s return or a reformed NamPost model, the goal should be the same restoring dignity, efficiency, and trust in Namibia’s social grant distribution system.
However, regardless of that they have been court interdict which was literally dismissed, but the government should consider service delivery as the matter of fact.
We understand that customer service in this country, still remains the biggest chronic disease amongst public entities compare to private sector.
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By Mary Mashete
Intern Journalist: 3rd Year Student, Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Media Studies (Honours)
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