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Opinion / National

Bonus payment for NSSA pensioners?

17 Nov 2018 at 01:47hrs | Views
Last year around this time NSSA pensioners were 'whistling and ululating' after receiving a 13th pension payout (bonus). This year it seems different, the 'cheer' appears to have been taken away from the weather beaten faces of this elderly constituency.

Why is this segment of our people seemingly considered irrelevant and unimportant? Maybe since most pensioners are now old and weak, threats of demos and toyi-toying are never a reality. All they can do is yawn in dismay and despair.

Singing in protest is out of question since their voices have now been reduced to no more than a whisper by old age and the harsh terrain of live. New brooms sweep clean, so goes the old adage.

Most NSSA pensioners expected the new Hon. Minister of Social Welfare to improve their monthly payouts that now can hardly buy anything. The old and sickly pensioners are walking wounded, unable to buy food and medicines.

These people need improved payouts and an affordable health scheme since most suffer from diabetes and hypertension. A bonus payment would have gone a long way in alleviating the suffering NSSA pensioners are going through.

Maybe I have put the cart before the horse when after all bonus payment for NSSA pensioners is on the way. Some dreams can be so strong they become real, do something for these senior citizens, bring back the cheer.

Tondo Gabarinocheka. Matepatepa.

Source - Tondo Gabarinocheka
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