‘We steal just to eat’

Frustration over unemployment is boiling over in Khorixas, where residents claim locals are being sidelined for jobs while families increasingly rely on elderly relatives’ pension grants to survive.

For many living in the town in the Kunene region, finding work has become nearly impossible, forcing some to leave for bigger towns while others remain trapped in poverty.

A 36-year-old local resident who asked not to be named said the lack of jobs has pushed many households to the brink.

“We literally have no jobs here,” he said. “Our family of six survives from my grandmother’s old-age grant.” He said the situation is common in many homes in the Kunene town.

Desperation has even led some residents to crime, he added. “Sometimes it forces us young people to steal just to eat. Not because we want money or expensive things, but just so we can buy bread.”

Additionally, Etna Yolanda #Haeses, a 32-year-old mother of two, claimed that local residents are repeatedly overlooked for job opportunities even when businesses open in their own community.

“Khorixas arguably has one of the highest unemployment rates,” she said. “People from outside the town are the ones getting jobs here. We apply at shops like Shoprite and Choppies almost every day.”

#Haeses claimed that some job seekers had even been told directly that locals were not preferred for employment.

“The hiring managers here in Khorixas are telling us that locals drink and smoke too much and that they cannot hire people like that,” she alleged. She added that a look at the staff working at newly opened shops suggests that most employees come from outside the town.

“It’s true. If you look at these newly opened stores, most of the workers are not from Khorixas,” she said.

Searching for greener pastures

Khorixas youth also claimed they have yet to receive the N$600 unemployment grant introduced a few years ago. They said many had applied, but most had not received any response.

“We applied for it almost three years ago, but nothing. And the worst thing is we received no updates or follow-up from officials," a 24-year-old told Namibian Sun.

According to the Namibia Statistics Agency, youth unemployment in Namibia remains among the highest in the region, leaving many young people in smaller towns such as Khorixas with few opportunities beyond government jobs or retail work.

Youth community activist Clamans Miyanicwe described unemployment in the town as a “burning issue” that is eroding hope among young people.”

Miyanicwe said some young residents leave the town in search of opportunities in larger urban areas such as Windhoek and coastal towns. But, he added, that does not always solve their problems.

“Some go out looking for greener pastures and return in a coffin,” he said. “Until when should our town be known as a place that welcomes coffins back?”

Activist warns of renewed protests

He called on the Khorixas Town Council to create an environment that attracts investment and job opportunities.

“Development is not a one-way street. Local leadership must make the investment environment friendly so that businesses can invest here and create opportunities for the youth,” he said.

Miyanicwe also questioned why major retailers in the town are not employing more locals.

“If locals cannot be employed in shops like Shoprite and Choppies in Khorixas, where exactly will they be employed?” he asked. The activist warned that growing frustration among unemployed youth could eventually lead to renewed protests similar to demonstrations that took place in the town several years ago.

“Khorixas is not on a secluded island,” he said. “We are Namibians too, and we need opportunities.”

The town council was contacted for comment but had not responded to questions raised by the publication at the time.