Newly elected National Youth Council (NYC) executive chairperson Sharonice Busch has promised to forge a clearer path that can lead to better socio-economic circumstances for youth from all corners of the country.
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.
As the newly elected executive chairperson, Busch in her victory speech said she is committing herself and her office to the mandate of the NYC and will make sure that 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.”
She said the youth themselves need to build the capacity of young people through NYC programmes by increasing their powers through cooperation, involvement and the sharing of skills and information.
She said the 2021-2025 agenda of the NYC is solely that of centring the youth.
According to her, the new trajectory of the NYC is by no means a pipedream but a path that the organisation is going to build through focusing on accountable leadership, institutional transparency and integrity backed by leaders that are efficient, willing to work, and believe in ethical leadership.
“The new trajectory of the NYC is also going to open its doors to inclusive leadership, making sure that the youth, whether they are from a region in the south or the north, whether they are from the marginalised or disenfranchised youth all have the same access,” she said.