Vivian !Nou-/Gawaseb
Unemployment is a silent killer that has the potential to destroy the future of an entire generation. The situation is particularly acute in Windhoek, the bustling capital city, where countless young dreams are being left unrealised due to the lack of job opportunities and affordable housing.
As of 2023, Namibia has entered the 50/50 urban-rural split. This implies that of the 2.5 million population, 1.25 million of the Namibian populace now live in proclaimed urban areas. Namibia’s 50/50 urban-rural split and unemployment rates are worrisome due to the potential strain on urban infrastructure and resources, as well as the risk of poverty, social unrest, and political instability. The high unemployment rate and rapid urbanisation can also exacerbate social and economic disparities between urban and rural areas, leading to a cycle of poverty and underdevelopment in rural areas.
Urgent action is needed from policymakers and urban planners to address these challenges and create a more equitable and sustainable future for all Namibians.
Lack of job opportunities
The lack of job opportunities in Namibia has a significant impact on the country’s youth population, both economically and socially. Evidently, many young people are struggling to find work and support themselves and their families. Economically, the lack of employment opportunities means that many young people are unable to earn a living wage, which can lead to poverty, financial instability, and reduced access to necessities such as healthcare, education, and housing. This, in turn, can contribute to a cycle of poverty and social exclusion that can be difficult to break. Socially, the lack of job opportunities can have a profound impact on the mental health and well-being of young people. Many may feel discouraged, hopeless, and frustrated about their prospects for the future, which can lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. In addition, the inability to find work and contribute to society can create feelings of social isolation and disconnection, which can further exacerbate mental health challenges. Overall, the lack of job opportunities in Namibia is a significant challenge that requires urgent attention and action. Without meaningful employment opportunities, young people will continue to struggle to support themselves and contribute to the country’s economic and social development. One key strategy for addressing youth unemployment in Namibia is to promote entrepreneurship and the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This can be achieved through providing access to finance, mentoring, and training programmes, as well as creating an enabling policy and regulatory environment that supports entrepreneurship.
The Namibian government has already taken steps in this direction through initiatives such as the Namibia Youth Credit Scheme (NYCS) which is a loan guarantee programme aimed at providing financial support to youth that do not have adequate collateral to access loans from the mainstream banking system. It targets Namibian youth between the ages of 18 and 35 years and the loans offered range from N$2 000 to N$20 000. Again, this initiative needs serious attention to ensure that it speaks to what is currently happening on the ground in 2023.
The Namibian government has additionally launched initiatives such as the National Skills Development Plan and the Vocational Education and Training Programmes (TVET), which aim to address the skills gap in the labour market. The Namibian government needs to strengthen these initiatives and create an environment that aggressively encourages foreign investment and fosters economic growth. The government can address this through the lens of infrastructure development, tax incentives, and regulatory reforms that reduce the cost of doing business and create a more competitive environment. By intensifying foreign investment, Namibia can create more job opportunities and stimulate economic growth, which will benefit young people by providing them with more employment options. Another important strategy is to promote education and skills training that are relevant to the needs of the labour market. This can be achieved through strengthened partnerships between the government, private sector, and educational institutions to design and deliver training programmes that equip young people with the skills and knowledge needed for jobs that are in demand.
Affordable housing
The youth of Windhoek are facing a heart-wrenching challenge that is robbing them of their future - a lack of affordable housing. For many, the dream of moving to the city in search of work has become a distant fantasy due to the high rent and living costs. They are left with no choice but to watch their dreams fade away. This is not just about housing. It’s also about the lack of education and skills training. Young people are being denied the opportunity to learn and grow, reach their full potential, and contribute to their communities. It’s a painful reality that urban planning must confront with empathy and urgency.
We cannot stand idle and watch the future of our youth crumble away. We must invest in their education, and skills training, and provide them with affordable housing options. We must work together as a community, to break the cycle of poverty and unemployment that is gripping our youth.
It’s not just about creating jobs; it’s about giving our youth a chance to live a life with dignity, purpose, and hope. It’s about unlocking their potential and building a future where everyone has an opportunity to succeed. We cannot afford to ignore this issue any longer. It’s time for us to take action and stand in solidarity with the youth of Windhoek.
Finally, the Namibian government needs to prioritize the provision of affordable housing for young people now more than ever. This can be achieved through a combination of policies that promote affordable housing development, such as tax incentives for developers, and subsidies for low-income households. In addition, the government needs to invest in infrastructure, such as public transport and utilities, to make living in urban areas more affordable and accessible for young people.
Conclusively, addressing youth unemployment in Namibia requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses the underlying structural issues that have contributed to the crisis. This includes creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurship and SME growth, promoting relevant education and skills training, intensifying foreign investment, and providing affordable housing options. By adopting these strategies, Namibia can create more employment opportunities for young people, unlock their potential, and build a more prosperous and equitable future for all. To my fellow youth in the country, although the unemployment crisis in Namibia may seem daunting, with resilience and revival, we can overcome this challenge and create a future full of opportunities and prosperity for all the country’s youth. We should continue banding together until we see substantive action. Substantive action that can create an environment that fosters meaningful economic growth, job creation, and skills development, providing young people with the tools they need to succeed and build a brighter future for themselves and their communities – let us rise above this crisis and revive the challenge of youth unemployment in the country.
*Vivian !Nou-/Gawaseb is a sustainability enthusiast and an urban studies scholar. He is currently pursuing a postgraduate degree in Urban and Regional Planning at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST)*