….Sings louder on youth empowerment gospel
STAFF REPORTER
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says she will appoint three task forces on economic recovery, health and housing development in the next few weeks.
She revealed this while speaking at the Helao Nafidi Town Expo held at Omafo in the Ohangwena region over the weekend.
She said this is in line with the outcomes of the Public Private Forum which was held two weeks ago in Windhoek.
“The government has to make some adjustments to create a conducive environment for the private sector. The private sector will respond to the government priority areas for social and economic development,” she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said it is her hope that next year the Public Private Forum will even be better, in organisation and outcomes.
“Equally important, one of the Forum outcomes is that the government and the private sector have agreed to work together for the good of our people,” she said.
The President also continued to preach the youth empowerment gospel amid rising unemployment figures and a generally challenging economic situation for young people.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said her administration will continue to prioritise youth empowerment through various progress to create safety nets for the young and ensure they participate fully in the economy.
“This year’s theme, “Ignite the Future: Unearthing Youth Potential and Innovation at the Heart of Helao Nafidi Town,” captures a vital message. It reminds us that our future rests in the hands of our youth. It calls upon us to recognise and nurture the talents of young people, whether in sports, innovation, entrepreneurship or the creative industries among others and to fully integrate their potential into the economy of our nation. This is talking to the center of our priorities, youth empowerment,” she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwaj said the government has not hesitated to operationalise the National Youth Fund, which is capitalised with N$257 million.
“We embarked upon this endeavour understanding that the youth is the future of our country. We must remember that it cannot be business as usual. We must embrace innovation and find new ways to deliver services more efficiently and equitably. Our people expect and deserve improved access to land, housing, sanitation, water, and electricity,” she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said the government remains committed to ensuring that every Namibian can enjoy a decent standard of living.
“We need the private sector as much as the private sector needs the government. On 24 October 2025, the country launched the Namibia Public Private Forum ( NPPF) that will be held annually.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said the purpose of the Forum is to create space for the government and the private sector in a formal setting to engage.
“This is in order to appreciate each other’s responsibilities in the process of national building, economic advancement, to grow our economy, create jobs and take our people out of poverty for a balanced shared prosperity,” she said.
According to Nandi-Ndaitwah, constant bickering and fighting between residents and regional councils has in some cases derailed development.
“I have observed with concern the conflicts that sometimes arise between local authorities and residents.”
She said these conflicts delay service delivery and weaken community trust and asked all stakeholders to engage one another with honesty and urgency.
“Let us build partnerships, not divisions. Let us find practical and lasting solutions to challenges that compromise local development. Without collaboration and understanding there will be no winner, both the community and the council will lose,” she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said the Helao Nafidi Town Expo therefore presents a unique opportunity to strengthen business ties and promote regional growth through the movement of people, goods, services, and knowledge.
“You can choose a friend but you can not choose a brother or sister just as you can not choose a neighbor. There is a lot we can benefit from all our neighbours including Angola and our neighbours from us,” she said.
She added “As your president I want to see good neighbourhoods along all our borders, and I am asking you to join me fully in this endeavor, in words and action.”
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