Africa-Press – Namibia. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has reassured Namibian youth that the recommendations gathered during nationwide consultations in 2022/2023 were not in vain.
She made the remarks while addressing about a thousand people, who gathered at Ondangwa Trade Fair.
The engagement was organised by the Swapo party youth league over the weekend.
Nandi Ndaitwah mantained that those public inputs gathered before election were incorporated into the Swapo Party election manifesto, which has now been translated into the country’s Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6).
The President added that, since most of the participants were young people, the Swapo manifesto is centred around the youth matters. “Out of the seven priority areas, four directly address youth concerns, meaning our implementation will focus primarily on young people” she said.
She added that current statistics show that 71% of Namibia’s population is made up of young people.
“When I announced the establishment of a Youth Fund, some people misunderstood the purpose. This is a dedicated youth fund with a purpose. The government has so far provided N$257 million. So far, 48 youth enterprises have benefitted, at a cost of N$14 million. Beyond funding, mentorship support will also be provided to ensure the programme succeeds,” said the President.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah was accompanied by the governor of Oshana region Hofni Iipinge, finance minister Ericah Shafudah, Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security Lucia Iipumbu as well as Deputy Minister of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare Linda Mbwale.
Voices from the floor
During the engagement, residents raised a range of issues, including disability inclusion, the plight of Namibians above the youth age limit who are often excluded from empowerment programmes, and competition from Angolan street vendors in northern towns.
Among the question from the floor was the one of accessibility and inclusivity of people with disabilities.
The participants suggested the need pre-primary schools with hostels in each constituency to ensure inclusion. Responding to the concerns, President Nandi-Ndaitwah assured the nation that disability issues now fall under her office.
“With the revised disability policy, we will address all these challenges to ensure inclusivity,” she said.
Residents also raised concerns that youth above the age of 35 are excluded from empowerment programmes.
In response, Shafudah said the government is reviewing the youth age bracket to make empowerment programmes more inclusive.
“The proposal is to extend the youth age limit to 45 to accommodate more productive citizens. The aim is to include as many active contributors as possible” she said.
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