The “Unbreakable Contract Between the State and Its People”

There is an invisible thread that binds every nation together- a subtle, yet powerful echo that defines the very essence of governance, responsibility, and trust. This thread, though inked on paper, signifies a nation's priorities and its commitments to its people.

It is, as defined by finance minister Erica Shafudah, the ‘unbreakable contract between the State and its people’ - the National Budget of 2026/2027. 

A National Budget is often seen as a mere spreadsheet of numbers- figures that are, as is the connotation with numbers, often glossed or glanced over.

However, I would like to challenge us to look beyond the numbers and view the budget as a living document. One that has the power to write and rewrite the story of a Namibian child.

It is no secret that one of the many issues plaguing Namibian society is the high youth unemployment rate, which stands at a staggering 44.4%.

This statistic highlights the very nature of the ‘unbreakable contract’ – that it is not one-sided.

National priorities

It underscores the role of youth in this agreement and calls for active civic engagement to understand the various budget allocations, scrutinise national priorities, and respectfully demand accountability and transparency.

A contemporary reflection of this transition is the dual capacity-building programme recently launched by the Namibia Youth Peace and Security Network (NYPSN) in collaboration with the National Youth Council and the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts, and Culture.

It underpins the development of the nation's inaugural National Action Plan on Youth, Peace, and Security (NAP-YPS).

This initiative, among many, is a reminder that youth inclusivity has become a national priority. It is now on the shoulders of youth to fulfil their portion of the contract – to step into these spaces, to participate meaningfully, and to utilise the opportunities presented. Active involvement, as daunting as it seems, starts small - with awareness, curiosity and a willingness to engage. 

Understanding the budget, therefore, becomes an act of empowerment.

It allows the youth to question, shape, and ensure the continuity of programmes, platforms, and policy frameworks that are funded, prioritised, and sustained through budgetary decisions.

In turn, the invisible thread, although subtle, begins to shape a better tomorrow for the Namibian youth and the nation at large.

One in which the youth begin to view themselves as more than bystanders in the ‘unbreakable contract’ but as changemakers.