Hendrina Kudhingililwa’s vision for youth empowerment

In a country where young voices are often drowned out by bureaucracy and inaction, Hendrina Kudhingililwa decided it was time to build a platform where the youth could not only be heard but also become active changemakers.

As the founder and president of Tukwatha Youth Organisation, Kudhingililwa says her mission has always been about raising responsible, empowered young Namibians who lead with courage and integrity.

Tukwatha was founded with a clear purpose: to connect young people with leaders and decision-makers, equipping them with the tools to shape their own futures. Despite facing challenges like the lack of consistent funding and not having a physical office, Kudhingililwa and her team have built a powerful movement grounded in action, resilience and community spirit.

“Tukwatha was born out of a desire to create responsible, empowered young people who are not only aware of the issues affecting them but are also actively involved in addressing them. We wanted to stop the cycle of blame and inaction by building platforms for dialogue, leadership development, and community engagement,” Kudhingililwa says.

According to her, one of the organisation’s standout initiatives is the Career Launch Programme, focused on placing young people directly into employment as licensed financial advisers. She says the programme ensures that selected youth receive comprehensive training, certification, and guaranteed three-year contracts – changing lives by offering real, sustainable career opportunities.

Kudhingililwa states that Tukwatha’s philosophy stretches beyond employment and adds that it’s about authentic representation, long-term transformation, and empowering young people to become leaders today, not tomorrow. Kudhingililwa believes that personal development, civic engagement, and mental health support are crucial in molding visionary young leaders who take responsibility for their communities.

“Young people are not the leaders of tomorrow – they are leaders today. Empowerment, for us, means equipping youth with the tools, the voice, and the courage to lead with purpose,” Kudhingililwa says.

Through her work, Kudhingililwa has created countless success stories of youth stepping into leadership roles across different sectors. Her hope is that programmes like the Career Launch Programme will not only launch careers but also inspire a generation to pursue lives of purpose, financial independence, and national impact.

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