President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called on the youth of the world to unite in confronting global injustices, economic inequalities, and to embrace their role as architects of a more equitable future.
Speaking at the official opening of the 21st general assembly of the World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY) at the University of Namibia in Windhoek this week, Nandi-Ndaitwah spoke of the historical and continued relevance of youth-led movements in shaping global peace, justice and development.
She said Namibia remains commited to international solidarity and the sovereign equality of nations.
She condemned ongoing injustices across the world, particularly the suffering in Palestine, calling it “a generation denied a future.”
The WFDY, a historic international youth organisation founded in 1945, has deep ties with Namibia’s liberation movement.
The president recalled that in 1974, the Swapo Youth League, under the leadership of Homateni Kalwenya, became part of WFDY, embedding Namibia’s youth within the global anti-imperialist movement.
“Swapo has always been supported by three powerful pillars – the youth, the workers and the women,” she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah warned that small and developing nations, especially in the Global South, are increasingly vulnerable to economic aggression.
However, she stressed that youth must not be passive observers.
“The young people of the world must demand and fight for fair international trade . . . to drive economic development and growth for social transformation for all the citizens of the world,” she added.
She said Namibia’s development under her eighth administration will focus on natural resource beneficiation for youth empowerment and sustainable development.
This, she said, is a call for unity and innovation among Namibian youth and their global counterparts.
“We cannot have a situation where our youth regress – they must only progress,” she said.
The president also pledged intensified investment in youth empowerment, sport infrastructure and the creative industries.
The assembly coincides with the Africa Day celebrations on May 25, slated for next week.
“Our children may learn about heroes of the past; our task is to make ourselves architects of the future,” she said while challenging Africa’s youth to be the “watchmen who guard the doors that open the pathways towards the future prosperity and greatness of this continent.”
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