President moots mandatory youth service training for new public servants
One-month training to boost discipline, integrity
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says government is considering a proposal that would require all newly appointed public servants to undergo a one-month National Youth Service (NYS) orientation during their probation period.
She said Cabinet has also directed that future recruitment into the military, police and correctional services should be drawn from the NYS database, and that all government institutions must give priority to NYS graduates for entry-level positions.
The proposed orientation is intended to cultivate a public service culture rooted in excellence and a strong sense of national duty, she said, and would form part of broader efforts to strengthen discipline, integrity and professionalism across the public service.
Nandi-Ndaitwah made the remarks during the 16th National Youth Service intake training pass-out parade held at Rietfontein in the Otjozondjupa region last week.
A total of 1 030 graduates completed training at the Rietfontein and Henties Bay NYS centres.
She also paid tribute to founding president Sam Nujoma for establishing the National Youth Service shortly after independence, saying his vision of a disciplined and patriotic youth remains relevant today.
The president reaffirmed government’s commitment to sustaining and expanding the programme despite resource constraints.
Military-style and vocational training
The NYS was established in terms of the National Youth Service Act, 2005 (Act no. 6 of 2005).
Since its launch in 2007, 5 390 young Namibians have participated in the programme, according to the NYS.
Graduates leave the programme with a blend of discipline, civic grounding and practical skills geared towards national development.
Training combines military-style discipline and physical conditioning with leadership development, patriotism and national values. It also includes technical and vocational skills training in agriculture and horticulture, carpentry and joinery, bricklaying and construction, plumbing, welding and metal fabrication, electrical installation, motor mechanics and auto-electrics, tailoring, catering, information technology, office administration and basic entrepreneurship.
Some intakes also receive specialised training aligned with national priorities, including environmental management, road maintenance, community development and disaster response.
The president called on all government institutions, including regional councils and state-owned enterprises, to open voluntary service opportunities for NYS graduates from February 2026. She stressed that work-integrated learning is a national duty, not a favour, and said host institutions must budget for upkeep allowances.
Nandi-Ndaitwah also reminded graduates that the NYS Act gives them recruitment preference in the security sector, noting that government aims to build a more coherent and disciplined security system.
She said the army will absorb 600 graduates next year.
Good for business
Nandi-Ndaitwah urged the home affairs ministry, moreover, to also consider the remaining 430 recruits in its next recruitment cycle.
"I am aware that this is one ministry that has also taken in NYS graduates," she said.
"I am also asking all government institutions, including state-owned enterprises, the private sector and individuals, to make use of the graduates of the National Youth Service,” she added, underlining that businesses are “unlikely to regret your actions if you take them into your operations."
The president encouraged graduates to pursue entrepreneurship and take advantage of the National Youth Development Fund, stressing that their skills are vital for the country’s growth.
She added that the experience graduates have gained in various trades should enable many to establish themselves as independent artisans.
Agriculture remains a top government priority, Nandi-Ndaitwah said, urging those trained in the sector to help feed the nation.
She thanked the governments of Zambia and Tanzania for their support of the NYS programme, praised the NYS Board and training staff for their efforts, and acknowledged the graduates’ families for their steadfast support.
She noted that the Zambian National Service provided instructors for the intake and trained 11 Namibian cadet officers and said discussions were ongoing with Tanzania to establish a similar cooperative arrangement.
She said Cabinet has also directed that future recruitment into the military, police and correctional services should be drawn from the NYS database, and that all government institutions must give priority to NYS graduates for entry-level positions.
The proposed orientation is intended to cultivate a public service culture rooted in excellence and a strong sense of national duty, she said, and would form part of broader efforts to strengthen discipline, integrity and professionalism across the public service.
Nandi-Ndaitwah made the remarks during the 16th National Youth Service intake training pass-out parade held at Rietfontein in the Otjozondjupa region last week.
A total of 1 030 graduates completed training at the Rietfontein and Henties Bay NYS centres.
She also paid tribute to founding president Sam Nujoma for establishing the National Youth Service shortly after independence, saying his vision of a disciplined and patriotic youth remains relevant today.
The president reaffirmed government’s commitment to sustaining and expanding the programme despite resource constraints.
Military-style and vocational training
The NYS was established in terms of the National Youth Service Act, 2005 (Act no. 6 of 2005).
Since its launch in 2007, 5 390 young Namibians have participated in the programme, according to the NYS.
Graduates leave the programme with a blend of discipline, civic grounding and practical skills geared towards national development.
Training combines military-style discipline and physical conditioning with leadership development, patriotism and national values. It also includes technical and vocational skills training in agriculture and horticulture, carpentry and joinery, bricklaying and construction, plumbing, welding and metal fabrication, electrical installation, motor mechanics and auto-electrics, tailoring, catering, information technology, office administration and basic entrepreneurship.
Some intakes also receive specialised training aligned with national priorities, including environmental management, road maintenance, community development and disaster response.
The president called on all government institutions, including regional councils and state-owned enterprises, to open voluntary service opportunities for NYS graduates from February 2026. She stressed that work-integrated learning is a national duty, not a favour, and said host institutions must budget for upkeep allowances.
Nandi-Ndaitwah also reminded graduates that the NYS Act gives them recruitment preference in the security sector, noting that government aims to build a more coherent and disciplined security system.
She said the army will absorb 600 graduates next year.
Good for business
Nandi-Ndaitwah urged the home affairs ministry, moreover, to also consider the remaining 430 recruits in its next recruitment cycle.
"I am aware that this is one ministry that has also taken in NYS graduates," she said.
"I am also asking all government institutions, including state-owned enterprises, the private sector and individuals, to make use of the graduates of the National Youth Service,” she added, underlining that businesses are “unlikely to regret your actions if you take them into your operations."
The president encouraged graduates to pursue entrepreneurship and take advantage of the National Youth Development Fund, stressing that their skills are vital for the country’s growth.
She added that the experience graduates have gained in various trades should enable many to establish themselves as independent artisans.
Agriculture remains a top government priority, Nandi-Ndaitwah said, urging those trained in the sector to help feed the nation.
She thanked the governments of Zambia and Tanzania for their support of the NYS programme, praised the NYS Board and training staff for their efforts, and acknowledged the graduates’ families for their steadfast support.
She noted that the Zambian National Service provided instructors for the intake and trained 11 Namibian cadet officers and said discussions were ongoing with Tanzania to establish a similar cooperative arrangement.
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