Alfeus Lungameni Hamundja
Dale Turner said, “Dreams are renewable. No matter what our ages or conditions, there are still untapped possibilities within us, and new beauty waiting to be born”.
In Namibia, individuals under the age of 35 make up a substantial 71.1% of the population.
It is my firm belief that it is just a matter of time before we begin to see the demographics of our country replicate in key government and political institutions.
Fellow young people of Namibia – even though currently there is no succession plan in this country, and leadership is not passed on as it should, let us not lose focus. Let us focus our eyes on the future – not the past.
Allow me to tell you a very short story: There was a professor in Namibia by the name of Prof. John S. Mbiti, who lived in Oshakati for a very long time, and wrote a book titled ‘African Philosophy and Religion’, in 1969. Prof. Mbiti offered the theory that Africans have a problem with identity. They have a very lively memory of the past. They have active participation in the present, but they are absent in the future. This is to the extent where he even said maybe it is in the languages they speak. So, fellow young people, let us contest for the future – not the past.
Agaton once said, “Not even God can change the past”.
Fellow young people – just like the waves push waves in the ocean, young leaders must replace the old.
The only key to unlocking Namibia’s potential lies in the young and in those who are yet unborn.
Let us remind ourselves of who we are, where we came from, and the endless opportunities we have.
Fellow young people from the East, do not be too proud, and do not speak the languages of your brothers and sisters in the West.
Fellow Namibians from the North, do not be too proud, and do not speak the languages of your brothers and sisters in the South.
Fellow Namibians in the West, do not shy away from enjoying yourself with your brothers and sisters in Central Namibia.
The future belongs to the youth. From Okanguati to Aroab; from Aroab to Okatana; from Okatana to Hoachanas; from Hoachanas to Sibinda; from Sibinda to Mankumpi; f rom Mankumpi to Omundaungilo; from Omundaungilo to Epukiro; from Epukiro to Arandis; from Arandis to Opuwo, and from Opuwo to Nehale Lya Mpingana.
In all 14 regions and 121 constituencies of our motherland, do not worry too much about high unemployment rates.
I know the day will come when all those who contributed politically to liberation are no longer around to be accorded expensive state and official funerals while the majority are swimming in the pool of unemployment and poverty.
The future is the youth.
As a 28-year-old, I would like to inform all fellow young Namibians that the day will come when young Namibians will be economically strong, technologically advanced and culturally-sound.
Long live Namibia, the child of international solidarity, midwifed by the UN
*Alfeus Lungameni Hamundja is an unemployed nurse .