11 000 youths vie for 1 030 NYS spots
Only a fraction of applicants admitted
Around 11 000 young Namibians applied for the 16th intake of the National Youth Service (NYS), but only 1 030 recruits were admitted due to capacity and resource constraints.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah shared the update during the pass-out parade at the Rietfontein Training Centre in the Otjozondjupa region on Friday.
The president said the large number of applications reflected a generation eager to serve, grow and contribute to national development.
“This intake brings together 1 030 recruits from the Henties Bay and Rietfontein NYS centres. For this intake, more than 11 000 young Namibians applied," she said.
However, the president acknowledged that, despite strong demand, the NYS is currently unable to accommodate all applicants. At full capacity, the training centres can admit up to 4 000 recruits.
“Due to resource constraints, we can only take a fraction at a time. Nevertheless, over time and within our limited resources, more young people will be admitted to the centres,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
She emphasised that the long-term objective of the NYS is to bring together young people from diverse backgrounds and mould them into disciplined, patriotic and service-oriented citizens, noting that graduates have already demonstrated value across various government institutions.
As part of efforts to absorb graduates, Nandi-Ndaitwah called on government offices, regional councils, state-owned enterprises and the private sector to open voluntary service and work-integrated learning opportunities for NYS graduates from February 2026.
She also announced that 600 graduates from the current intake will proceed directly to the Namibian Defence Force, while the remaining 430 recruits should be considered in future recruitment cycles by the police and correctional services.
[email protected]
She also announced that 600 graduates from the current intake will proceed directly to the Namibian Defence Force, while the remaining 430 recruits should be considered in future recruitment cycles by the police and correctional services.
[email protected]
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah shared the update during the pass-out parade at the Rietfontein Training Centre in the Otjozondjupa region on Friday.
The president said the large number of applications reflected a generation eager to serve, grow and contribute to national development.
“This intake brings together 1 030 recruits from the Henties Bay and Rietfontein NYS centres. For this intake, more than 11 000 young Namibians applied," she said.
However, the president acknowledged that, despite strong demand, the NYS is currently unable to accommodate all applicants. At full capacity, the training centres can admit up to 4 000 recruits.
“Due to resource constraints, we can only take a fraction at a time. Nevertheless, over time and within our limited resources, more young people will be admitted to the centres,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
She emphasised that the long-term objective of the NYS is to bring together young people from diverse backgrounds and mould them into disciplined, patriotic and service-oriented citizens, noting that graduates have already demonstrated value across various government institutions.
As part of efforts to absorb graduates, Nandi-Ndaitwah called on government offices, regional councils, state-owned enterprises and the private sector to open voluntary service and work-integrated learning opportunities for NYS graduates from February 2026.
She also announced that 600 graduates from the current intake will proceed directly to the Namibian Defence Force, while the remaining 430 recruits should be considered in future recruitment cycles by the police and correctional services.
[email protected]
She also announced that 600 graduates from the current intake will proceed directly to the Namibian Defence Force, while the remaining 430 recruits should be considered in future recruitment cycles by the police and correctional services.
[email protected]
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