Swapo reveals youth-centric campaign theme

Swapo vice-president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has announced the Swapo party&#039;s manifesto will be launched on 14 September under the campaign theme &#039;Unity in Diversity: Natural Resources, Beneficiation for Youth Empowerment, and Sustainable Development.&#039;Nandi-Ndaitwah made the announcement during an engagement session with the Forum for German-speaking Namibians in Swakopmund on Saturday.“We start with unity because, without it, we cannot achieve anything. We embrace diversity because Namibia is home to different cultures and traditions, which we should be proud of," she said. “Youth empowerment is also crucial. We must empower our youth not just to find jobs but to create them. Our educational institutions must align with the needs of our industries. Schools and institutions of higher learning should introduce subjects necessary for emerging industries, such as oil, gas, and green hydrogen. We should aim to develop local expertise so that we only import to supplement our resources.”She added that once people are empowered and employed, sustainable development and prosperity will naturally follow.Nandi-Ndaitwah added that Namibia&#039;s diversity should inspire and unite."I mentioned at the fundraising gala dinner for the first San Cultural Festival that I envision a national cultural day where all Namibians – whether from the San, the Namas, the Damaras, the Hereros, the Afrikaners, the Germans, the Aawambo, the Mukavambos, or any other group – can come together to celebrate our shared heritage. If no town can accommodate us all, we could gather in the desert; our land is vast enough.”JobsShe underlined that going forward, there should be a focus on adding value to natural resources to create employment. "We cannot continue to have high unemployment while sending our raw materials – and thus our labour – overseas, creating jobs elsewhere instead of at home. By emphasising value addition, we can create jobs here in Namibia."Employment solves multiple issues: it addresses housing, as people will be able to rent, buy or build homes, and it reduces crime. Some are driven to crime out of necessity, while others out of greed, but by providing opportunities, we can address the root causes.”She emphasised teamwork across the country. “When we talk about Namibian-owned businesses, it should mean that the resources and profits stay within the country, reinvested to benefit our own people. This is what I mean by natural resource beneficiation.”

Swapo reveals youth-centric campaign theme

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-03

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Swapo reveals youth-centric campaign theme

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-03

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