Youth council centre gets N$100 000 boost upon launch 

The National Youth Council (NYC) of Namibia received a N$100 000-shot in the arm to establish a resource centre. 

Simon Taapopi, a member of Bridgehead Group Holdings’ board, announced this donation at the resource centre’s official launch at the NYC’s head office in Windhoek yesterday.  

“We have earmarked N$100 000 to support the NYC in establishing a resource centre to help young people access crucial information technology services, including printing and internet services,” he said. 

Taapopi said since the company’s involvement with the council, it has declared and paid dividends of N$500 000 to the NYC,  demonstrating the entity’s commitment to its mandate, and to supporting its shareholder in meeting its objectives. 

The centre is fitted with 10 workstations, water dispensers and 10 laptops. 

Taapopi says the investment aims to reduce the digital divide and promote equal access to resources for the youth. 

“As the world rapidly evolves, we understand our responsibi­lity to help young people adapt, and to ensure they are not excluded from economic opportunity due to limited access to the internet. 

“Whether it’s research or applying for a job online, we are determined to reduce the digital divide and promote equal access,” he said. 

He encouraged young people to make optimal use of the centre in pursuit of their dreams and ambitions. 

“It is theirs. We will not ask them to pay for it. And we expect no financial returns from it,” Taapopi said.

Speaking at the same event, the acting director of the NYC, Sircca Nghitila, said the centre represents hope, opportunity and a brighter future for young people. 

She said it will be a sanctuary for young people from underserved families, offering a space to learn, explore and acquire vital digital literacy skills. 

“This is not merely about access to technology; it is about bridging gaps and breaking down barriers that many of our youth face daily,” Nghitila said. 

She said the centre is particularly beneficial to jobseekers as it offers resources to create professional curricula vitae, look for job opportunities and even participate in online interviews and training programmes. 

“For our youth organisations needing a dedicated space for their work, this centre will provide the environment they need for documentation and other essential tasks.”