Do you feel political parties adequately address the concerns of young Namibians?
Victoria Kalwenya - Youth Advocate for ESG (Environment, Social and Governance)
Political parties in Namibia largely ignore youth’s core concerns, unemployment, access to income and financial independence, focusing instead on minor issues; banks and government policies block or complicate access to money earned remotely, worsening economic struggles, mental health and crime, while youth voices are acknowledged but rarely acted upon, leaving young Namibians without meaningful support or opportunities to build livelihoods.
Nsozi J Mwazi
No, they do not. The unemployment rate is increasing every day and is not being addressed. The safety of young people is not addressed. They only make promises during election time to get votes from the youth, but underdeliver once in power. The youth is treated as an afterthought to all other Namibian issues. It is unacceptable, especially when the youth make up 70% of the population. Moreover, opportunities for youth are not widely advertised and are only available to a select few who are connected to people in power; this is unfair. Opportunities for the youth should reach every single Namibian youth, despite their economic class. It cannot always be the same people having access to the same opportunities and funding. There is a hoarding culture in Namibia as Namibians do not want to share, mentor or support others as they believe the table is not big enough for everyone.
Ra'eesa Herman
Political parties in Namibia address some concerns of young people, but not always adequately. Many young Namibians feel that their priorities, such as unemployment, education quality, corruption, housing, and meaningful political participation, are acknowledged in speeches and manifestos, but not followed by enough concrete action.
Merian Shipena
Yes, political parties do address some concerns of young Namibians, because many parties have started including youth in discussions, creating youth wings, and focusing on issues like unemployment, education, and entrepreneurship, showing an effort to involve young people in shaping national decisions.
Adraino Frans
Politics discusses youth concerns in Namibia, as youth unemployment, inequality, and a lack of opportunities are pressing issues that require political solutions and government action. Political platforms and discussions are where youth concerns like job creation, education, social support, and safety are addressed through policy, legislation, and government programs. The government's role in tackling these problems makes them inherently political issues that need to be discussed within the political sphere.
David H. Haindongo
As a postgraduate Physics student and a young Namibian active in oil and gas, technology, AI, and Data Science, I believe our national decision-makers still lack a clear vision of the technological direction Namibia must follow. We continue to overlook STEM fields, especially Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science, even though they are the foundation of imaging technology, AI, Data Science, green innovation, and modern industrial development. These areas hold enormous power, yet they are treated as secondary. The government should create a national strategy that prioritises STEM and develops courses that allow students to specialise early in technology fields. Because without strong STEM education, we cannot build manufacturing, and without manufacturing, there is no real economic growth for Namibia.
Political parties in Namibia largely ignore youth’s core concerns, unemployment, access to income and financial independence, focusing instead on minor issues; banks and government policies block or complicate access to money earned remotely, worsening economic struggles, mental health and crime, while youth voices are acknowledged but rarely acted upon, leaving young Namibians without meaningful support or opportunities to build livelihoods.
Nsozi J Mwazi
No, they do not. The unemployment rate is increasing every day and is not being addressed. The safety of young people is not addressed. They only make promises during election time to get votes from the youth, but underdeliver once in power. The youth is treated as an afterthought to all other Namibian issues. It is unacceptable, especially when the youth make up 70% of the population. Moreover, opportunities for youth are not widely advertised and are only available to a select few who are connected to people in power; this is unfair. Opportunities for the youth should reach every single Namibian youth, despite their economic class. It cannot always be the same people having access to the same opportunities and funding. There is a hoarding culture in Namibia as Namibians do not want to share, mentor or support others as they believe the table is not big enough for everyone.
Ra'eesa Herman
Political parties in Namibia address some concerns of young people, but not always adequately. Many young Namibians feel that their priorities, such as unemployment, education quality, corruption, housing, and meaningful political participation, are acknowledged in speeches and manifestos, but not followed by enough concrete action.
Merian Shipena
Yes, political parties do address some concerns of young Namibians, because many parties have started including youth in discussions, creating youth wings, and focusing on issues like unemployment, education, and entrepreneurship, showing an effort to involve young people in shaping national decisions.
Adraino Frans
Politics discusses youth concerns in Namibia, as youth unemployment, inequality, and a lack of opportunities are pressing issues that require political solutions and government action. Political platforms and discussions are where youth concerns like job creation, education, social support, and safety are addressed through policy, legislation, and government programs. The government's role in tackling these problems makes them inherently political issues that need to be discussed within the political sphere.
David H. Haindongo
As a postgraduate Physics student and a young Namibian active in oil and gas, technology, AI, and Data Science, I believe our national decision-makers still lack a clear vision of the technological direction Namibia must follow. We continue to overlook STEM fields, especially Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science, even though they are the foundation of imaging technology, AI, Data Science, green innovation, and modern industrial development. These areas hold enormous power, yet they are treated as secondary. The government should create a national strategy that prioritises STEM and develops courses that allow students to specialise early in technology fields. Because without strong STEM education, we cannot build manufacturing, and without manufacturing, there is no real economic growth for Namibia.
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