WAD pushing ahead with youth proposal

WOMEN’S Action for Development (WAD) is moving full steam ahead in its efforts to have compulsory national youth service introduced in Namibia.

WAD Executive Director Veronica De Klerk on Monday disclosed the details of the proposal to President Hifikepunye Pohamba during an official State House visit, followed yesterday with an interview on the NBC’s radio service.De Klerk envisions that all school leavers should be forced to spend at least six months in public service, with an attachment of vocational training, before setting off on their adult life.The aim of this, she says, is to encourage discipline among the youth while at the same time equipping them with marketable employment skills.’A greater measure of discipline will be instilled in the youth if they are exposed to a period of compulsory national youth service, where various skills training courses are conducted for the youth. Not only will our country’s unflattering unemployment rate drop, but the investor-scaring crime rate will also be grossly reduced,’ she told Pohamba this week.The idea has so far received positive feedback, both from callers to the NBC and the Head of State, who apparently stated interest in the idea.At the same time, commentators have raised some questions, like whether Namibia has the capacity to support such a large-scale nationwide programme, and what content to include.’Capacity will be an issue. Even currently, there are many people I know who have applied but could not be taken into the existing national service,’ said Ronnie Dempers, Chairperson of the Namibia NGO Forum (Nangof) Trust, and a supporter of the idea.The cost of such a programme is another concern, although De Klerk is quick to point out the huge amounts currently being spent on maintaining the country’s prison system without benefit to the nation.’Although the introduction of compulsory national youth service will have additional cost implications for the country, there is no doubt that well-meaning local and international donors will eagerly step forward to fund such a noble project, which in turn will ensure order in society and at the same time enhance peace and stability in the country,’ she said.As to criticism of the service’s proposed ‘compulsory’ nature, De Klerk said school was also considered compulsory and that the service would serve as ‘an extension of that’.WAD plans to compile a list of young people in favour of the idea and will promote the idea through the media.