Youth Must Take Charge of Local and Regional Management

Once again, we are approaching a critical moment in which youth participation is essential.

The upcoming local authority and regional council elections present an opportunity we cannot afford to miss. But does our vote truly matter if we are excluded from governing processes?

As the late Nelson Mandela reminded us: “The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow.” Leadership is not a privilege for a few, but a responsibility for every generation.

More recently, entrepreneur Tony Elumelu echoed this by stressing that Africa’s future rests in the hands of its youth, who must actively participate in leadership and development. Even young activists say they are not the leaders of tomorrow; they are the leaders of today – because decisions made today will affect their lives forever.

These voices, from renowned leaders to ordinary young people, call for the same thing: participation now, not later. I am convinced that the youth of Namibia must rise to the occasion and shape the destiny of our nation.

We must register in large numbers and ensure our voices are not only loud on social media, but powerful at the ballot box. Participation in political parties’ primary elections is equally vital, since this is where candidates are chosen. If we do not step forward, the same faces will recycle themselves in positions of authority.

For too long, leadership at local and regional levels has been entrusted to an older generation that, while experienced, often prioritises its own interests and networks. Week after week, newspapers expose how wealth and properties are concentrated in their hands.

They own land and rental properties, while young people remain tenants, struggling to afford housing and waiting for opportunities that never come. This is no accident; it stems from decisions made by those who have dominated governance for decades.

This generation demands youthful leaders at the forefront of municipalities and local authorities. Not because we reject the wisdom of elders, but because today’s challenges require youthful energy, creativity and courage. The older generation must recognise this and give way.

Young people form the majority in Namibia. Numbers matter in democracy, but numbers without action are meaningless. It is time to translate our numbers into votes for leaders who will transform Namibia into a country that works for all, not just for the privileged few.

From Ohangwena to ||Kharas, from Erongo to Zambezi, let us pull up our socks and deliver our contribution. Registering to vote is step one. But before casting ballots, we must demand accountability: Where is the constituency fund? Every constituency should have a budget for pressing local needs. Where is the rent bill? Young people are strangled by rising rental prices while property owners grow wealthier. When will unemployment be declared a state of emergency? This is not just a statistic – it is a daily crisis.

If these demands are ignored, we must reconsider how and why we vote. Our votes are powerful. They must work for us, not against us.

Fellow youth, the time is now. The bills that matter to us must be passed, implemented and felt in our communities. Only then can we vote with clear hearts, knowing our participation has real value. We owe this to ourselves and to generations to come.

Let us rise together, register in big numbers, demand real change and take our place at the decision-making table.

The future is ours – but only if we claim it.

– Hidipo Hamata

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