Lüderitz Waterfront Development Company CEO Fluksman Samuehl said enlightened and well-motivated young entrepreneurs are vital to global economic development.
He made this statement during the Youth Entrepreneurial Mentorship Conference and Expo, taking place this week in the southern coastal town.
“They (youth) are helping to shape the economies of the future, ensure sustainable growth and guarantee prosperity both here at home and further afield,” he said.
Samuehl added through their gifts, genius and ingenuity, Namibia will be on the move towards a positive transformation.
“As youth, you need to be reminded that the Namibian society is thirsty for leaders who subscribe to the values of responsibility, integrity and those who appreciate a sense of urgency, provide genuine inspiration and instil hope,” said the CEO.
He also said the youth are the ones to redefine the Namibian story and future Namibia has been waiting for.
The CEO said youth unemployment is a serious national problem and if left unaddressed in a coordinated/holistic manner by all actors, it may trigger a time bomb with far reaching consequences for the nation.
“One way of liberating the youth from the scourge of high unemployment is to start a journey of entrepreneurship, which will require information, guidance, motivation and mentorship,” he suggested.
Samuehl also said the conference is a perfect platform that allows the youth to engage actively by means of sharing valuable experiences from their regions.
“It further seeks to prepare them for self-employment through training and mentorship; enhance competencies, deepen understanding and build social networks,” he explained.
He raised the expectation that the youth can learn a great deal from the event on how to access funding, markets, acquire management skills, identify business opportunities and overcome challenges facing businesses.
Samuehl also urged participants to seize the opportunity granted through the conference, as it could be an eye opener to them and enable them to prosper in the business sphere.
He expressed his profound gratitude towards the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) for agreeing to come on board in support of the Namibian youth and also raised the hope of the NGO strengthening the partnership with the LWDC in years to come.
In a speech delivered on her behalf, Lüderitz mayor Anna-Marie Hartzenberg said by eliminating barriers to trade in Africa, the objective of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area is to significantly boost inter-Africa trade, particularly in value-added production and trades across all sectors.
“The continued reliance on the importation of goods and services (in particular food and technology) must cease with this generation,” she emphasised.
Hartzenberg also said Namibia, as a nation, must endeavour to become the breadbasket of Africa and the innovators of their own solutions.
“I, therefore, urge you to apply your mind through a participatory approach during the course of this conference and be motivated to be counted as amongst the greatest within your generation,” the mayor encouraged in her speech.