HENTIES BAY – Youth, Sports and National Services minister Agnes Tjongarero implored all Offices, Ministries and Agencies, as well as State-Owned Enterprises and other government bodies to avail opportunities for National Youth Service (NYS) trainees.

 This support, according to the minister, will strengthen the overall impact of the ongoing six-month National Youth Training programme that is taking place at the Henties Bay Centre, after which trainees will be deployed on various projects of national importance as part of the NYS mandate of instilling civic virtues among Namibian youth.

 Tjongarero was speaking at the official opening of the 14th intake of recruits by the NYS at Henties Bay on Friday, where 310 trainees are currently receiving training.

 The intake comes after a directive by the minister to return training activities to the Henties Bay Centre from Rietfontein, following a five-year hiatus at the Henties Bay Centre, to ensure full utilisation of the centre as well as provide the much-needed training to the Namibian youth.

 “In further augmenting its sustainability efforts, the NYS will soon conclude a memorandum of agreement with the Namibia University of Science and Technology, which will see a possible relocation of the NUST Agricultural Science programme to the Rietfontein Training Centre.

 Equally, the Welwitschia Health Centre has engaged NYS on the possibility of utilising the Rietfontein Training Centre to offer some of its training programmes,” she added.

 Tjongarero commended the NYS for the willingness to co-exist with other institutions, for the benefit of the youth, saying the move will also ensure that the Rietfontein Training Centre, which has the capacity to accommodate 2 500 youth, is fully utilised for its purpose.

 Erongo governor Neville Andre Itope emphasised the importance for policymakers and stakeholders in youth development to focus on how well they can coordinate efforts to create and connect services, opportunities and support for the youth to reach their full potential and contribute towards nation-building.

 “The revival of training activities at the Henties Bay Centre signifies the beginning of a long-term strategic partnership as we embark on these new beginnings together. This will not only stimulate local development but uplift the region in terms of sports and culture,” Itope noted.

 - Nampa