Open Letter to Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah

I would like to thank Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah for the confidence she has in me.

I am honoured and humbled to have been appointed as a candidate for election to the eighth National Assembly. This appointment, at the age of 22, is an extraordinary opportunity for me as a young Namibian who passionately believes in the transformative power of the youth in our society.

I stand ready to represent the voices of our nation’s youth with conviction and purpose.

The outcomes of Swapo’s electoral college have highlighted that the party’s youthful cadres are ready to serve this country. Of course our generational mission will remain the attainment of economic prosperity for all Namibians. In every corner of our country, young people are struggling with issues that directly impact their ability to grow, thrive and contribute meaningfully to our nation’s development.

I see this appointment and the outcomes of the ‘pot’ as a chance to amplify the voices of my peers and ensure that the issues we face are amplified and put at the forefront of our national discourse.

The pressing issue confronting young Namibians today is unemployment. Our focus must be to address this crisis with urgency and innovation as mandated by Swapo’s manifesto.

Comrade vice president, we are fully behind your vision and that of Swapo for Namibia’s youth. In the National Assembly, I look forward to advocating policies mandated in Swapo’s manifesto to ensure the fostering of an environment conducive to entrepreneurship, innovation and a reduction of bureaucratic red tape that stifles young entrepreneurs.

A priority commitment must of course be the creative and arts industry.

The Namibian youth must be afforded the opportunity to make careers out of their passions. The prioritisation of funding allocations for the development of the creative industry must be realised. This will unlock those untapped opportunities for creatives.

Furthermore, education is the key to unlocking the potential of Namibia’s youth. Many young people leave school or university with qualifications, but lack the practical skills necessary to compete in a modern economy.

I believe we must reimagine our education system to make it more inclusive, adaptable and future-oriented.

I will advocate increased investment in science, technology, engineering, maths, arts and culture education, as well as digital literacy to ensure that Namibian young people are not left behind in the digital revolution.

Moreover, I will be committed to the vision of expanding access to vocational education and training. Not every young person will pursue a traditional academic path, but every young person deserves the opportunity to acquire skills that are relevant and marketable.

I too envision a Namibia where vocational training is not seen as a second-class option, but as a legitimate and respected pathway to success. Education must speak to the market.

I am committed to working tirelessly to ensure that the voices of Namibia’s youth are heard and that the issues we face are addressed with urgency – to realise a Namibia where every young person has the opportunity to thrive and live a meaningful life.

On towards a united and diverse Namibia where our natural resources benefit and empower the youth for sustainable development.
Thank you for this incredible opportunity to serve.

Fenny Tutjavi

– The writer is one of Swapo’s 10 candidates in the 2024 National Assembly election nominated by vice president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.