Presidential spokesperson Alfredo Hengari has congratulated newly elected National Youth Council (NYC) executive chairperson Sharonice Busch, describing her win as “well-earned rewards for hard work, consistency and dedication”.
Presidential assistant Busch was on Monday night elected NYC executive chairperson during a gathering at Rietfontein in the Otjozondjupa region.
She received 130 votes against 98 for challenger Ndahafa Hapulile. NYC is charged with policy formulation and implementation on issues bordering youth development in Namibia.
“I would like to congratulate my colleague and Personal Assistant to the President Sharonice Busch on her excellent and well-deserved election as executive chairperson of the NYC. Sharonice was appointed by President Hage G. Geingob five years ago as part of the intentional push by the President to provide opportunities to young people to learn and to excel,” Hengari said.
Hengari said Geingob has always believed and will continue to believe in the potential of young people.
“Sharonice, who has served the President for over five years, is such a person. In President Geingob, Sharonice served a principal who is hardworking, demanding but caring and fair,” Hengari said.
“These are important attributes she must take to her new vital assignment. I worked closely with Sharonice for the past three years. She has integrity, is strategic and attentive, affable but bossy, stubborn when she has to be and is highly driven. The Presidency wishes her well in her new national mandate as she serves the young people of our country.”
Busch, in her victory speech, said she is committing herself and her office to the mandate of the NYC and will ensure her office will be available to facilitate the renewal of the NYC.
“As stated in the mission statement of the NYC, the organisation identifies young people as potential and vital resources in the process of national development, entitling them to rights, privileges and responsibilities conferred to them by contestation, the act of the NYC and through our shared commitment through our social contract to uplift young people across this country,” she said.
“You, the young people in this hall, representing thousands of young people from 14 regions and 121 constituencies, carry the shared burden of the NYC and the nation as a whole to take young people forward in a direction that shows that we care about the developmental needs and wants of young Namibians,” she said.
“This time requires us to come together to address in a unified way – across all races, creeds, clans, political parties, different faiths, orientations and dispensations – to forge a promising road forward for young people in the country.”
- ktjitemisa@nepc.com.na