Youth employment: formal or freelance?

Namibia’s young people face a tough choice between traditional employment and entrepreneurship. With youth unemployment over 40%, many young people are struggling to find stable, well-paying jobs in the formal sector.

For those emerging from universities or vocational training, the dream of securing a steady 08h00 to 17h00 job has become increasingly elusive.

As the formal job market stagnates, entrepreneurship has become an attractive alternative. Many young Namibians are turning to small businesses, tech start-ups and freelance opportunities as ways to achieve financial independence.

While entrepreneurship offers flexibility and potential for growth, it also comes with significant challenges, including access to funding, mentorship and market saturation.

This shift is creating a division among the youth: on one side are those seeking the security of traditional employment, and on the other, those daring to start their own businesses. Both paths are fraught with difficulties, but both offer hope for the future.

To address this divide, programmes like the Namibia Business Innovation Institute and the Youth Enterprise Development Programme are helping young people pursue self-employment. However, more support is needed, not just in terms of funding, but also in mentoring and education to foster both job seekers and job creators.

The future of Namibia’s youth workforce may lie in a balance between traditional employment and entrepreneurship, supported by policy changes and educational reforms that equip young people with the skills they need to succeed in both realms.

So, how can we as young people take advantage of these opportunities and bridge the gap between these two paths?

– Delphina Muleke is an aspiring brand strategist, communications consultant, proofreader and writer.

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