The Namibian government should seriously consider merging the National Youth Council (NYC) and the National Youth Service (NYS) into a unified entity to address governance inefficiencies, overlapping mandates and resource wastage.
This bold proposal aims to streamline youth development efforts and establish a more accountable structure for empowering Namibia’s youth, who constitute over 70% of the population according to the Namibia Population and Housing Census 2023.
The recent dismissal of the NYC board by Youth Minister Agnes Tjongarero underscores the urgency for such reform, shedding light on systemic governance failures and the need for transformative change.
Status
The NYC, established under the National Youth Council Act of 2009, is mandated to coordinate youth organisations and foster youth participation in governance, economic empowerment, and community development.
However, governance challenges, including allegations of unauthorised expenditures, delayed audits, and inefficiencies within its commercial arm, Bridgehead Holdings, have eroded public trust.
Similarly, the NYS, created under the National Youth Service Act of 2005, delivers vocational training, civic education, and volunteerism initiatives.
Despite its significant contributions, programme overlaps with NYC have resulted in duplication of efforts and inefficient resource allocation.
Governance failures
The dismissal of the NYC board on 13 December 2024 was a watershed moment, revealing deep governance lapses. Cited issues included financial mismanagement, unauthorised expenditures (e.g., N$300 000 for office renovations), neglect of key responsibilities like National Youth Week, and conflicts of interest.
The board also failed to comply with procurement policies and ministerial directives, further damaging public confidence in NYC’s ability to fulfil its mandate.
Bridgehead Holdings
A crucial component of reform involves enhancing accountability at Bridgehead Holdings, NYC’s commercial arm. To ensure transparency, measures such as holding mandatory annual general meetings, publishing audited financial statements, and reinvesting profits into youth programmes are vital.
Dividends from Bridgehead Holdings should consistently support youth empowerment initiatives and complement government funding.
Namibia National Youth Development Agency (NNYDA)
The proposed merger of NYC and NYS into the Namibia National Youth Development Agency (NNYDA) offers a framework for streamlined and impactful youth development. Drawing inspiration from South Africa’s National Youth Development Agency, Namibia can benefit from:
1. Enhanced efficiency: Reducing overlaps and optimising resources for impactful interventions.
2. Improved governance: Establishing a centralised, transparent structure to rebuild public trust.
3 Resource optimisation: Redirecting funds from redundant activities to youth-focused initiatives.
In the interim, the government should stabilise NYC operations and prepare for the merger by:
• Strengthening financial management and audit practices.
• Enforcing procurement compliance.
• Addressing conflicts of interest and reviewing contracts.
• Rebuilding public trust through engagement and delivery on commitments.
• Initiating collaboration with NYS to harmonise overlapping programmes.
The proposed merger of NYC and NYS into the Namibia National Youth Development Agency (NNYDA) represents a transformative opportunity to establish an efficient, transparent, and impactful youth development framework.
By addressing governance challenges, optimising resources, and prioritising accountability, Namibia can harness the potential of its youth to drive sustainable development in alignment with Vision 2030 goals.
This initiative not only seeks to empower young Namibians but also challenges stakeholders to reimagine a future where the youth’s role in national progress is fully realised.