When President Hage Geingob this week said the high unemployment rate, especially among the youth, can disrupt peace and stability he touched on a subject every Namibian is concerned about.
The dangers of youth unemployment in Namibia are numerous and wide-ranging, and they pose significant dangers not only to individuals but also to society as a whole.
The frustration and disillusionment experienced by unemployed youth can manifest in various forms, including social unrest, crime and substance abuse.
The growing disparity between employed and unemployed individuals creates a sense of injustice and undermines social cohesion, potentially leading to social unrest and conflicts within communities.
While Namibia’s unemployment rate is estimated at around 35%, youth unemployment is believed to be around 50%.
Geingob, during a courtesy visit to State House by a delegation of 11 investors from India on Wednesday, said although Namibia has political peace, the high unemployment rate, especially amongst the youth, is not a good thing, and it can disrupt the peace.
“While we can boast that we are a peaceful country, we have basic problems of unemployment. We have really been suffering since I took over office from the economic downturn, severe drought and Covid-19, but now we are very optimistic, and Namibia is open to doing business,” he said.
When young people are unable to find gainful employment, it leads to a loss of productivity and potential economic output. It creates a dependency on social welfare programmes, increasing the financial burden on the government and hindering the country's overall economic progress.
Moreover, the lack of income and purchasing power among the youth adversely affects local businesses, leading to a decline in consumer spending and economic activity. Youth unemployment does not only affect individuals in the present but it also has long-term implications for their prospects. The longer young people remain unemployed, the more their skills deteriorate or become redundant.
Lack of job opportunities deprives them of valuable work experience, training and professional development, making it harder for them to secure employment in the future. This vicious cycle perpetuates the problem of youth unemployment and reduces the overall competitiveness of the nation's workforce.
It also increases the likelihood of brain drain and migration. When educated and skilled young individuals cannot find suitable employment opportunities domestically, they may seek opportunities abroad, resulting in a loss of talent and potential for the nation. This brain drain further exacerbates the unemployment crisis and undermines the country's ability to retain and utilise its own human resources for sustainable development.
There is also the possibility of frustrated and disillusioned youth becoming disengaged from the political process, leading to apathy and disenchantment with the government.
This disengagement can breed feelings of marginalisation and alienation, potentially fuelling radicalisation and social unrest. Without adequate opportunities for productive engagement, unemployed youth may become susceptible to various negative influences, further destabilising the nation.
Addressing this issue requires comprehensive strategies that focus on creating job opportunities, improving educational and vocational training systems, promoting entrepreneurship and fostering an enabling environment for youth empowerment.
By tackling youth unemployment, Namibia can unlock the potential of its young population, leading to a more prosperous and stable future for the nation as a whole.