WAD proposes compulsory youth service programme

WOMEN’S Action for Development (WAD) has proposed introducing compulsory national youth service for school leavers to counter high unemployment and school dropout rates.

WAD Executive Director Veronica de Klerk made this special appeal to President Hifikepunye Pohamba at WAD’s Otjozondjupa Field Day on Thursday.Proposing a trial period of six months, De Klerk said the world was full of examples that forcing the youth into national service could do wonders for nation building and the formation of a disciplined society.’As long as the present high levels of unemployment among the youth in our country are allowed to continue unabated, which result in them engaging in the misuse of alcohol and drugs, loitering, sitting around in shebeens, engaging in violence and rape, crime, corruption, or contracting HIV, Vision 2030 has no chance,’ De Klerk told her audience.’There is no doubt in my mind that the answer to address this social dilemma lies in the introduction of compulsory national service for the youth, after leaving school, with an attachment of vocational training,’ she said.De Klerk acknowledged that compulsory youth service traditionally happened during times of war, but added that if introduced with an attachment of vocational training, Namibia could see this avenue be of great value as far as food production and other societal needs are concerned.’Namibia should familiarise itself on the benefits of compulsory national youth service in other countries where it has already been successfully implemented, such as Germany, the USA, Israel and even Botswana, at our doorstep,’ she said.While her idea may prove to be expensive, De Klerk said costs involved should be weighed up against the costs of fighting crime and maintaining the prisons and the police.’There is no doubt that well-meaning local and international donors will eagerly step forward to fund such a noble project which will ensure order in society, as well as peace and stability in this beautiful country of ours,’ she said.Namibia currently has a National Youth Service programme, started under former President Sam Nujoma, which is voluntary.The WAD Field Day was one of four scheduled across the country this year, where unemployed youth who completed a variety of WAD courses in computer literacy, office administration and hospitality, among others, are awarded certificates.A total of 130 certificates were awarded in the Otjozondjupa Region, with the organisation hoping to train 12 000 people countrywide by the end of the year.