Exile kids reject training, again

At least 200 struggle kids have camped at the Zoo Park in Windhoek's Independence Avenue to register their rejection of the civic training for which government enlisted them at the Berg Aukas Youth Development Centre in October last year. The group started their exodus from Swapo's Ndilimani farm at Brakwater late Sunday afternoon and arrived in Windhoek just before midnight. According to the group's spokesperson, Tuhafeni Nhinda, government is wasting their time with this training as most of the struggle kids are above 24 while the age limit for Namibia Defence Force and the police is 24 years. “Government must just give us jobs, they did not even explain to us what the purpose of this civic training is,” he said. The group handed over a petition to the secretary to Cabinet George Simataa who promised to give them feedback on Wednesday. However, the group members through Nhinda made it clear that they have no intention to return to Brakwater to wait for feedback. “We do not have food at the camp, they have forgotten us. We will remain here or go back to the Swapo headquarters where we can ask people for food or help,” said Nhinda. Nhinda also demanded from Simataa to explain what will happen to the alleged 400 jobs he directed government ministries to reserve. “They cannot tell us now that jobs are frozen; during a meeting on 2 December last year he told us that they will release 400 jobs. Who are they giving those jobs to?” asked Nhinda. When contacted Simataa said he could not comment on this issue as he was in a meeting. Special treatment Government came under fire when President Hage Geingob in September last year signed off N$11.3 million from the Social Security Commission Fund to pay for the training of struggle kids at the Berg Aukas Youth Development Centre. At the time however, the group fervently rejected this training and demanded jobs instead, because they are growing old. DTA parliamentarian Elma Dienda yesterday criticised government for treating the group as special and differently from the rest of the Namibian children who are struggling to find jobs. She also urged government to take control of what has become a “public menace” as soon as possible. “Most of them have one or two children already… how can they be kids? They are adults and need to be treated as such. Adults take responsibility for their own lives. Besides they are becoming a security concern as they are increasingly threatening members of the public,” she said. Two weeks ago a group of struggle kids reportedly robbed residents of the Mix informal settlement of their drought relief food. JEMIMA BEUKES

Exile kids reject training, again

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-02

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Exile kids reject training, again

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-02

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