ONGWEDIVA – Swapo vice president and presidential candidate Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah promised to tackle youth unemployment, saying the ruling party has made job-creation its chief priority.
Nandi-Ndaitwah made these remarks at a Swapo Oshana youth rally held in Ongwediva over the weekend.
“Youth unemployment remains a real challenge. The high rate of youth unemployment is a concern, not just for the affected individuals, but for the entire nation,” said Nandi-Ndaitwah, who is known as NNN in the political corridors.
She said unemployment is a challenge they must address with urgency and determination. Nandi-Ndaitwah stated that she understands the pain graduates go through when asked for experience to be recruited.
“We have to make a law whereby we are giving tax relief to the private sector to take you in, not for three and six months, but forever and beyond to be employable,” she said.
She further said she does not want to lead a divided nation; she must lead a united nation, just like leading a united party.
Nandi-Ndaitwah noted that when the party is not united, they are killing the whole country.
“I am continuing to appeal to party members that let us be united in the name of Namibia,” she added.
Swapo Party Youth League secretary Efraim Nekongo also appealed to their incoming president to decisively deal with youth unemployment, intensify economic transformation, and make sure that the State actively retains the strategic assets of the economy.
“We are appealing for poverty reduction, maximum natural resource benefaction, creating a conducive environment for sports and creative industries to thrive, and most importantly, dealing with education’s new curriculum ambiguity,’’ he voiced.
Nekongo further pleaded with the Vice President to erase students’ debt and move away from loans to student grants, take a hard stance against corruption, deal with the backlog of housing provision, and ensure equitable healthcare and social services, agriculture transformation and food security.
He also asked to protect State-owned enterprises against sabotage and subsequent liquidation. “We have trust in you and your profound understanding of our nation’s challenges and potential, coupled with your relentless pursuit of justice and equality that made you the ideal leader and a presidential candidate to guide us into a new era of prosperity and progress.
“We stand ready to listen to the message of our incoming president, Nandi-Ndaitwah, and indeed, we will be inspired by her vision, which we all have confidence in,” said Nekongo.
At the same rally, Swapo secretary general Sophia Nahango Shaningwa updated the masses on the electoral calendar, which has entered a crucial phase.
To this end, she stated that last week, all political parties were called by the Electoral Commission of Namibia to be given the sensitive voters’ register.
Shaningwa reiterated that Nandi-
Ndaitwah remains the party’s sole and authentic presidential candidate.