The World Festival of Youth and Students Festival in context

Sioni Aluta Iikela writes: It is time again for the World Festival of Youth and Students (WFYS). Namibia, just like other progressive countries of the world, will send a sizable number of progressive youth to go and share experiences and expectations with their peers. The international preparatory team chose the theme: ‘Youth United Against Imperialism, For the World of Peace, Solidarity and Social Transformation’. The theme is self-explanatory. This festival is renowned for its progressive and anti-imperialist discussions, and as I personally witnessed myself in 2010 in South Africa, the festival always takes revolutionary resolutions. I would like to shed some light and unplug the cable of confusion of some youth and their leaders about the festival. Firstly, I would like to inform the Namibian people that the festival is a relevant learning platform for youth about the happenings in the world. There is nothing better than our government paying for trips like this one. The money of our government cannot be utilised for anything better. In South Africa those of us who were informed so we could and inform others. We also had the opportunity to engage with our fellow youth from all over the world. I can’t forget a three-hour engagement Comrade Amupanda had with a brother from South Africa, who was by then in Grade 8. This boy had a dream of becoming South African president through the ANC. He explained how he would go about becoming president. We were so inspired by the younger brother. Shockingly, there were many who were interested in sex and drinking throughout the festival. The festival starter menu was served and some of our colleagues from the National Youth Council (NYC) decided to fight over substance and travel allowances, better known as S&Ts. I was flabbergasted to have witnessed this state of affairs. I am also now failing to understand why some youth leaders in the country are reportedly having problems with the spending of about N$6 million on this year’s festival. A few questions keep popping up in my head. How come the 2010 festival was not a waste of money and this year’s festival is seen through the lens of a waste of money? How come the same people received S&T in 2010, if this festival is not important to them? Does that mean that in 2010 and other times when Namibia sent youth to this event, there was no money used? It is very important for all those to attend the WFYS to be aware of what their expectations are and what is expected of them. This trip is not a pre-festival holiday, just like it is not a sex, booze and shopping spree. It is a trip that requires major preparations in terms of reading and consultations, paving the way for informed contributions in Ecuador. The delegates must take time and reflect on geopolitics, as well as continental and international politics and economic empowerment discourses. The delegates must also take time to look at the economies of the progressive nations and how stronger nations are pushing their interests down upon poorer and weaker nations through what has become known as neo-colonialism. The delegates must be aware of how international bodies have become tools of imperialist countries and their regime change experiments in Africa. I hope our delegates are not ready to do a repeat of 2010, as far as the bad side of the coin is concerned. I wish to congratulate the Namibian government for paying for the trips of about 250 Namibians to attend the festival in Ecuador. This will afford Namibian youth from all walks of life an opportunity to be exposed and learn from the fellow youth of the world. I therefore suggest that those who have been involved in this event and are now see it as a waste of money to come out and tell this nation why. Is it because they were not involved in the preparation and did have the opportunity to accumulate S&Ts? In a final analysis, one continues to wonder how genuine and honest some of our youth leaders are. We must be honest with the people of Namibia. If one compiles a list of those who have been attending these festivals, you will find that those who have a problem have been attending in the past. Why is it a problem now? I would like to sign off by wishing the Namibian delegation progressive and productive deliberations at the 18th WFYS.