Keynote by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at National Youth Service Pass-Out Parade

Rietfontein Training Centre, Otjozondjupa region, 12 December 2025

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It is with a high sense of national responsibility that I conclude my public activities for the year 2025 by engaging the graduates of the National Youth Service. The National Youth Service is a fundamental institution that moulds our young people to consolidate our democracy, foster unity and cohesion, promote patriotism and love for the country and its people, and ensure quality service delivery and shared prosperity for all. I thank the centre’s leadership for the invitation extended to me and for strategically choosing this day.

Across the globe, nations rise or fall on the strength of their youth. This means that youth is the fallback strategy of every country. Today, Namibia stands tall because each of you here has answered the call of the National Youth Service, which some did not respond to. Your presence on this parade ground is not accidental. It is a deliberate and purposeful choice. It is the living promise of a nation expressed through young people who are ready to serve, prepared to learn and ready to lead.

Standing before you, I see more than a pass-out parade. I see the future architects of our country. You are young men and women who have embraced discipline, unity and sacrifice at a time when our country needs you most. You remind us that the spirit of one Namibia, one nation is alive, and that the next chapter of our nation’s story is in safe and capable hands.

This 16th intake brings together 1 030 recruits from the Henties Bay and Rietfontein National Youth Service centres. I am informed that for this intake, more than 11 000 young Namibians applied. This overwhelming response reveals a generation eager to serve, eager to grow and keen to contribute to building a better Namibia for all.

We acknowledge with great appreciation the visionary leadership of Sam Nujoma, who initiated the National Youth Service in the early years of our independence. He understood that a disciplined and patriotic youth forms the backbone of any prosperous nation. His vision remains relevant today and into the future. As a government, we are therefore duty-bound to continue this programme so that more young Namibians can receive transformative training.

At full capacity, the National Youth Service centres can train 4 000 recruits. However, due to resource constraints, only a fraction can be accommodated at a time. Nevertheless, within our limited resources, more young people will be admitted over time, enabling the National Youth Service to reach its full potential.

The long-term strategy of this training is to bring together young people from diverse backgrounds and mould them into disciplined, committed and patriotic citizens. Throughout your training, you have learned unity, resilience, physical endurance and the meaning of duty. You have lived the spirit of one Namibia, one nation. You have shown that discipline is not a slogan, but a way of life.

Those who completed this programme before you have already demonstrated exceptional discipline and commitment in various offices, ministries and agencies. They serve with a sense of duty and pride. That is the standard we expect of all public servants and of all Namibians who aspire to lead and uplift their communities.

I call on all government institutions, including regional councils and state-owned enterprises, to open voluntary service opportunities for these graduates starting in February 2026. Host institutions must make adequate budgetary provision for upkeep allowances. Work-integrated learning is not a favour; it is a national duty.

The National Youth Service Act provides that graduates receive preference for recruitment into the defence force, police and correctional service. I have been informed that 600 graduates from this intake will proceed directly to the Namibian Defence Force, and I thank the ministry of defence for this commitment. The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security should also consider the remaining 430 recruits in their next recruitment cycle.

I further encourage all government institutions, including state-owned enterprises, the private sector and individuals, to make use of National Youth Service graduates. You are unlikely to regret integrating them into your operations.

To ensure a coherent and disciplined security sector, future recruitment into the military, police and correctional services will be drawn only from the National Youth Service database. The Cabinet has also directed that all government institutions must prioritise National Youth Service graduates for entry-level appointments. The government is studying a public proposal for all new government employees to undergo a one-month National Youth Service orientation during probation, aimed at cultivating a public service culture rooted in integrity, professionalism and excellence.

For six months, you have chosen discipline over comfort and service over convenience. You have grown and been transformed. You are not the same individuals who arrived here in May this year. You now stand as trained, focused and capable young citizens ready to contribute to the development of Namibia.

The skills you have acquired across various trades enable you to stand on your own feet as artisans. Agriculture is among the government’s top priorities, and I am pleased that many of you excelled in this field. Go and feed the nation.

The government has also established the National Youth Development Fund to support youth enterprises. I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity. Develop your business plans and submit your applications. Your skills are needed.

Carry the values you learned here wherever you go. Be an example in your families, communities and workplaces. Let people see young citizens who listen, lead, solve problems and serve with humility.

Never stop learning. Learning did not end at Rietfontein or Henties Bay. When you know better, you must do better. Use your knowledge, character and discipline to build a better Namibia for all.

This training programme was made possible through the efforts of your government in collaboration with others. The Zambian National Service provided instructors for this intake and trained 11 of our cadet officers. We are grateful to the government of the Republic of Zambia for this support. I also thank the government of the United Republic of Tanzania for strengthening training collaboration with the National Youth Service. These partnerships reflect enduring solidarity rooted in the liberation struggle and carried forward through shared development.

To the parents, families and friends of the graduates, thank you for your support. These young men and women stand tall today because you believed in them.

I also thank the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture for its continued guidance of the National Youth Service.

As I conclude, I congratulate the graduates of the 16th intake. You have made the Land of the Brave proud and demonstrated courage, discipline and commitment.

As we enter the festive season, let us adhere to road safety measures and enjoy time with our families. I wish you a merry Christmas.

I now declare the 16th intake of the National Service Training Programme officially closed.

I thank you.

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