‘Struggle kids’ good for something

IF there’s one thing for which the demonstrating, traffic-stopping, Swapo-camping ‘children of the liberation struggle’ can be commended, it’s shaking awake the Ministry of Youth, National Service, Sports and Culture to the issue of youth unemployment.

This is the view of Elijah Ngurare, Secretary of the Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL), who told The Namibian on Wednesday that ‘the youth in general are facing heaps of challenges, and the demonstration of the exile youth is just one symptom of the extent of the frustration they face’.He added that this ‘symptom’ was a result of inadequate monitoring and evaluation in line ministries involved in education and youth development, which was resulting in poor ‘outcomes at the end’, saying ‘we have to look critically at some of the things that we do’. However, he said, the SPYL welcomed and was confident in Government’s ‘renewed commitment’ to addressing youth issues, adding that ‘but we must answer the question of real youth empowerment’.But what is this ‘renewed commitment’?Contacted for comment about the progress the Ministry of Youth is making with the ‘registration and verification processes’ that were previously so often alluded to, Deputy Minister Pohamba Shifeta told The Namibian that several efforts were underway, with the aim of ensuring ‘a holistic approach that not only looks at the children born in exile, but also at children born here (in Namibia)’.One of these efforts is the creation of a committee within the ministry for ‘planning and deployment’; the expansion of the Ministry’s programmes in order to accommodate greater numbers of youth; a focus on training and skills development for long-term benefit; expanding the national training programme through the establishment of improved vocational training centres; and expanding the capacity of the National Youth Service.Shifeta also said that in order to fully address youth unemployment, job creation was key.’I’ve looked at our economy, and it can’t absorb all these young people unless we create new opportunities,’ he said.’Looking at that, we need to consider training, employment creation … and to shift the mindset towards youth becoming self-employers.’Regarding ‘struggle children’-specific measures being taken, Shifeta noted the continued registration of ‘children of the liberation struggle’; the submission of names to various ministries and agencies for which feedback is being awaited; the setting up of a system that would ensure that their ‘special status’ was not abused at the expense of other youth; and the issue of counselling for many of those that were still reeling for the effects of being in exile.Shifeta also appealed to the ‘children of the liberation struggle’ and other youth to go when called for skills training, instead of simply demanding jobs. ‘Employment is just a solution for today, but if you want security in your life, you need training.’But the youth, who continue to swear allegiance to Swapo, also continue to demonstrate at the party’s headquarters. Ngurare, who met with the demonstrators in Oshakati last week, again appealed to them to return to their homes.’I told them that we are now confident that Government and the line ministry and the ministerial committee are ready to respond practically in seeking sustainable solutions towards the issue of youth unemployment,’ he said.’The overwhelming understanding is that none will be helped while they are camping at the head office.’nangula@namibian.com.na