Africa-Press – Namibia. The National Youth Service (NYS) has recorded over 11 600 applications for its 16th intake National Youth Training Programme – the highest since the training programme began.
Of this number, only 1 068 applicants were successfully recruited due to limited resources.
Seven-hundred recruits, comprising 350 men and 350 women, have been placed at the Henties Bay Training Centre in the Erongo region, while 368 are undergoing training at the Rietfontein centre.
Speaking at the opening of the programme at Henties Bay on Monday, vice president Lucia Witbooi described the overwhelming interest as a clear sign of the youth’s eagerness to contribute meaningfully to national development and personal growth.
“The eighth administration has firmly placed youth empowerment at the heart of its national development priorities,” she stated.
Witbooi further revealed that N$257 million has been earmarked in the 2025/26 financial year for the establishment of a national youth fund.
The fund will boost youth-led entrepreneurship, support start-ups, and expand graduate internship programmes.
“Graduates of the NYS, particularly those who complete the service’s skills training programme, must be well-positioned to take full advantage of these opportunities,” she added.
Deputy minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture Dino Ballotti echoes the vice president’s sentiments, but notes the financial limitations that have hampered broader intake.
“The ministry is actively soliciting increased funding to ensure full utilisation of training centres and to expand access to all eligible youth,” he says.
Erongo governor Natalia /Goagoses has commended the programme, saying the decision to host the NYS intake in her region not only reflects its strategic importance, but also brings direct socio-economic benefits to the local economy.
She reaffirms her regional office’s commitment to supporting youth empowerment initiatives, emphasising that programmes like NYS are vital in addressing youth unemployment and promoting civic responsibility.
The NYS currently runs three structured programmes: national service training, voluntary service, and technical and vocational education and training.
The training period has recently been extended from six to seven months to include a compulsory month of voluntary service aimed at fostering civic engagement.
The programme is aimed at empowering youth with practical skills, discipline and national values that promote patriotism and civic responsibility.
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