Namibia’s youth leadership came under the spotlight last week as the National Youth Council (NYC) officially opened its 3rd General Assembly in Swakopmund, with government leaders calling for unity, accountability, and urgent action to tackle youth unemployment.
Vice President Lucia Witbooi, speaking on behalf of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, told delegates the assembly was a defining moment for the future of Namibia’s youth. “This Council is about to choose its leadership for the next four years,” Witbooi said, urging delegates to respect the electoral process and support those elected. She said young people remain central to the country’s development, noting that around 71% of Namibia’s population is under the age of 35. Witbooi highlighted youth unemployment as one of the country’s biggest socio-economic challenges, saying it currently stands at 44.4%, although down slightly from 46.1%. Government aims to increase youth employment from 56.6% to 70% by 2030 and reduce the number of young people not in employment, education or training from 42% to 25%. To support this, she pointed to initiatives such as free higher education, work-integrated learning programmes, vocational training expansion and the National Youth Development Fund.
Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Sanet Steenkamp said the General Assembly marks an important turning point for the Council after months of institutional recovery.
Steenkamp revealed that when the interim board took over, the NYC faced serious governance and operational challenges, including unresolved compliance issues. “This council belongs to you. It is your voice, given legal form,” she told delegates. Interim Executive Chairperson Patience Masua said the board inherited an institution in crisis, including six years without audits and annual reports never tabled in Parliament. “We found an institution that needed urgent attention,” Masua said. Masua said the assembly represents the final phase of a nine-month renewal process aimed at restoring stability, compliance and credibility to the Council.
Delegates from all 14 regions are expected to elect a new executive chairperson and board during the four-day gathering. Leaders repeatedly stressed that the outcome must strengthen, not divide, the youth body, with Witbooi calling on delegates to uphold the spirit of “One Namibia, One Nation.”
However, the proceedings were abruptly halted on Saturday after disputes erupted over the timing of the elections, leading to physical altercations among delegates. Steenkamp subsequently called off the electoral process at the NYC General Assembly in Swakopmund, bringing the gathering to an unexpected standstill.
By Sharlien Tjambari
