Parliament forms committee to tackle youth unemployment

The National Assembly, in partnership with other stakeholders, on Monday formed a technical committee tasked with developing youth crisis-response strategies.

Speaker of the National Assembly Peter Katjavivi said the committee includes the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation, Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service and the National Youth Council.

Also included are: the United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, United Nations Children’s Fund, University of Namibia and the African Peer Review Mechanism.

Katjavivi held a round-table meeting on youth unemployment in Namibia with various stakeholders, to set up the technical committee to be entrusted with the responsibility to devise strategies to address the crisis.

According to parliament, this will be done by identifying unique economic opportunities offered by each region, formulating actionable policy recommendations, and collaborating with technical and vocational training institutions to enhance the skills and capacities of young people to become job creators.

Katjavivi stressed the importance of a multisectoral approach in tackling the scourge of youth unemployment, adding that Namibia’s future depended on the success of young people.

“Our shared purpose is to create a robust framework and strategy that will guide our efforts towards mitigating youth unemployment,” Katjavivi said.

The speaker noted that identifying unique economic opportunities existing in each of Namibia’s regions could help in formulating effective policies.

He stressed the need to continuously review progress once the technical committee commences its work.

Katjavivi commended the efforts being made by other role players to address youth unemployment.

“I wish to particularly mention the targeted review on youth unemployment which was launched by president Hage Geingob on 17 November 2022. I wish to thank ambassador Lineekela Mboti and his team for the work they have done to produce that targeted review,” Katjavivi said.

The African Peer Review Mechanism panel recommended targeted interventions for the government to address the crisis.

Among them is the establishment of a youth programme coordination and implementation unit to consolidate funding across ministries and agencies involved in employment creation for the youth.

The reform of the education system, the reservation of a 30% procurement quota for youth small and medium enterprises and the strengthening of agro-based value chains and value additions for youth employment among others, should be prioritised.

The chairperson of the parliamentary standing committee on human resources and community development, Nono Katjingisua, told the meeting the National Assembly has already started conducting public hearings on youth unemployment.

Katjingisua said this comes after a motion on youth unemployment was tabled and referred to the committee for further investigation last year.

National Youth Council executive chairperson Sharonice Busch warned stakeholders about the dangers of youth unemployment noting that it could spiral out of control and cause social unrest if not urgently addressed.

Youth unemployment in Namibia is currently sitting at 49%. This comes after the Namibia Statistics Agency advertised 13 000 temporary jobs that has received 60 000 applications so far. The closing date is on Friday.

Two months ago, The Namibian reported that 42 967 applications were received for 1 000 cadet constable police posts. Of the pool of applicants, 2 398 candidates (1 664 male and 734 female) were shortlisted for interviews.

In March, The Namibian reported that 2 000 unemployed youths from Windhoek flocked to a local hangout spot to submit their curricula vitae to be considered for 16 advertised positions. The Temperature Lounge and Restaurant in Windhoek had advertised 16 posts for waiters, waitresses, chefs, bartenders and cleaners.