Youth underrepresented in parliament
Programs to benefit youth lagging behind
Since gaining independence in 1990, Namibia has held regular national elections every five years. This year the country is preparing for its eighth election - with a focus on the youth vote.
According to the Namibian Sun, political parties’ recent inclusion of youth candidates on their parliamentary lists may be a tactic to win over the 900,000 young voters among Namibia’s 1.4 million registered voters.
Some political analysts argue it is a superficial move, while others view it as strategic for youth engagement. Notable young candidates include LPM’s William Minnie (21), Swapo’s Fenny Tutjavi (22), AR’s Gillian Kalf (23), Nudo’s Ripuree Mbakurupa (24), and PDM’s Julia Nekwaya (26).
However, youth issues such as high unemployment, gaps in education, crime rates and underrepresentation in parliament have remained persistent hurdles.
Unemployment and education
Youth unemployment has been one of Namibia's most pressing issues, with the rate fluctuating but consistently high.
According to the Namibia Statistics Agency, the youth unemployment rate reached 43% in 2022, a figure that has seen little improvement since the 1990s.
In a 2007 report, economist Dr John Mwilima pointed out that “the structural nature of Namibia’s economy is failing the youth, as job creation lags far behind population growth.”
Education, a critical factor in employment readiness, has shown improvements but faces limitations.
While Namibia's government allocates a substantial portion of its budget to education, challenges in curriculum relevance and access remain.
In 2019, the Ministry of Education received approximately N$14.2 billion, or 22% of the national budget, according to the ministry’s reports.
Yet, in 2023, the unemployment rate among graduates remained high, reflecting what the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) noted in a 2020 report as “a mismatch between educational outcomes and labor market needs.”
Crime and socio-economic pressures
Rising crime among youth has often been linked to high unemployment rates and a lack of access to economic opportunities.
Youth crime has escalated since the 2000s, with the Ministry of Safety and Security noting in a 2017 survey that the highest crime rate among offenders was within the 18 to 35 age group.
According to a 2022 report by the Ministry of Youth, after participating in government-run training programs, only 15% of the intended beneficiaries had found stable employment
Youth representation in parliament
Namibia’s parliament has often been critiqued for lacking youthful representation. Despite various youth wings within political parties, actual numbers show a gap.
For instance, in the 2019 National Assembly elections, only 10% of elected members were under 35.
The ECN’s 2020 Youth in Politics report emphasised that the youth make up 60% of the Namibian population, yet their voices are marginalised in political decision-making.
In an interview published in the New Era newspaper in 2021, youth activist Lydia Amutenya stated, “Our parliament needs to be a reflection of our country’s demographic, especially when it comes to addressing youth concerns like unemployment and education.”
Youth leaders continue to lobby for better representation, yet the barriers to entry, such as the high cost of political campaigning, remain.
Budget and policy gaps
Budget allocations for youth programs have seen fluctuations over the years. In 2012, the Namibian government dedicated N$350 million toward youth development, focusing on job creation, skills training, and entrepreneurship.
However, these figures have since seen incremental increases that have not matched inflation or the growing youth population.
In a 2022 report by the National Planning Commission, youth development was highlighted as underfunded compared to other social services.
This disparity impacts not only unemployment but also broader issues of social welfare.
Minister of Youth Agnes Tjongarero stated in 2023 that “addressing youth issues requires not just political commitment but substantial financial backing, which has been a struggle in light of our national budget constraints.”
Road ahead
The ECN has actively encouraged youth engagement.
However, voter turnout among youth has been low. In the 2019 elections, only 37% of eligible youth cast their ballots, compared to 63% in 2004.
Analysts attribute this decline to disenchantment with the political process and the perception that government policies have not tangibly improved their lives.
Some political analysts argue it is a superficial move, while others view it as strategic for youth engagement. Notable young candidates include LPM’s William Minnie (21), Swapo’s Fenny Tutjavi (22), AR’s Gillian Kalf (23), Nudo’s Ripuree Mbakurupa (24), and PDM’s Julia Nekwaya (26).
However, youth issues such as high unemployment, gaps in education, crime rates and underrepresentation in parliament have remained persistent hurdles.
Unemployment and education
Youth unemployment has been one of Namibia's most pressing issues, with the rate fluctuating but consistently high.
According to the Namibia Statistics Agency, the youth unemployment rate reached 43% in 2022, a figure that has seen little improvement since the 1990s.
In a 2007 report, economist Dr John Mwilima pointed out that “the structural nature of Namibia’s economy is failing the youth, as job creation lags far behind population growth.”
Education, a critical factor in employment readiness, has shown improvements but faces limitations.
While Namibia's government allocates a substantial portion of its budget to education, challenges in curriculum relevance and access remain.
In 2019, the Ministry of Education received approximately N$14.2 billion, or 22% of the national budget, according to the ministry’s reports.
Yet, in 2023, the unemployment rate among graduates remained high, reflecting what the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) noted in a 2020 report as “a mismatch between educational outcomes and labor market needs.”
Crime and socio-economic pressures
Rising crime among youth has often been linked to high unemployment rates and a lack of access to economic opportunities.
Youth crime has escalated since the 2000s, with the Ministry of Safety and Security noting in a 2017 survey that the highest crime rate among offenders was within the 18 to 35 age group.
According to a 2022 report by the Ministry of Youth, after participating in government-run training programs, only 15% of the intended beneficiaries had found stable employment
Youth representation in parliament
Namibia’s parliament has often been critiqued for lacking youthful representation. Despite various youth wings within political parties, actual numbers show a gap.
For instance, in the 2019 National Assembly elections, only 10% of elected members were under 35.
The ECN’s 2020 Youth in Politics report emphasised that the youth make up 60% of the Namibian population, yet their voices are marginalised in political decision-making.
In an interview published in the New Era newspaper in 2021, youth activist Lydia Amutenya stated, “Our parliament needs to be a reflection of our country’s demographic, especially when it comes to addressing youth concerns like unemployment and education.”
Youth leaders continue to lobby for better representation, yet the barriers to entry, such as the high cost of political campaigning, remain.
Budget and policy gaps
Budget allocations for youth programs have seen fluctuations over the years. In 2012, the Namibian government dedicated N$350 million toward youth development, focusing on job creation, skills training, and entrepreneurship.
However, these figures have since seen incremental increases that have not matched inflation or the growing youth population.
In a 2022 report by the National Planning Commission, youth development was highlighted as underfunded compared to other social services.
This disparity impacts not only unemployment but also broader issues of social welfare.
Minister of Youth Agnes Tjongarero stated in 2023 that “addressing youth issues requires not just political commitment but substantial financial backing, which has been a struggle in light of our national budget constraints.”
Road ahead
The ECN has actively encouraged youth engagement.
However, voter turnout among youth has been low. In the 2019 elections, only 37% of eligible youth cast their ballots, compared to 63% in 2004.
Analysts attribute this decline to disenchantment with the political process and the perception that government policies have not tangibly improved their lives.
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