International Youth Day and National Youth Week were commemorated in Namibia last week, with events in Windhoek placing the spotlight on young people’s role in shaping the country’s future.
The grand celebrations, held at the Namibian College of Open Learning’s Jetu Jama Centre, brought together students, youth leaders, representatives of government and stakeholders under the global theme ‘Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond’.
The National Youth Council (NYC) organised the celebrations that lasted for more than four days, and which included parades from the Multipurpose Youth Resource Centre, brass band performances by the National Youth Service, businesspeople’s exhibitions and debates on the theme.
Deputy minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture Dino Ballotti urged the youth to own the future of the country’s growth.
“The future doctors, nurses, ministers and even the Namibian president are among you,” Ballotti said.
“Unlock your potential and lead in any profession.”
Miss Namibia 2025 Johanna Swartbooi encouraged the audience to never stop dreaming.
“Never lose dreaming,” she said, noting that dreams, ‘Hapo’ in Khoekhoegowab, are to be pursued with will and determination.
Practical potentialities were also highlighted at the celebrations, with young businesspeople showcasing products and services, and policymakers vowing greater access to finance, training and markets.
Ballotti stated that the youth week momentum has to carry through into the government’s present empowerment plans.
Across Windhoek, satellite events, like ministry activations or school culture exhibitions, demonstrate that young people are not only recipients, but solution designers themselves.
The organisers say the work now is to harness the week’s energy and create sustainability.
NYC officials say they will work with partners in taking feedback from the celebrations and translating it into tangible programmes like internships, mentorship and seed grants.
As the final performances ended, Swartbooi’s words lingered in the air: “Never cease dreaming, and build the structures that help those dreams stand.”
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