LÜDERITZ – National Youth Council (NYC) executive chairperson Sharonice Busch believes young people are capable of assisting and guiding government on how to address the challenges they face daily.
This was her observation during the recent Youth Empowerment Seminar in the southern coastal town of Lüderitz.
“Through this intervention, our youth can become more self-reliant and creative,’’ she stated.
Busch further explained the mandate given to the NYC as the youth flagship development agency as that of fostering and championing development, and also giving them space to prepare for modern day challenges.
“The National Youth Council has since its enactment through government in 1994 undergone a significant transformation process,’’ she emphasised.
She said it will also be needless to say the seminar could have taken place without the involvement of the youth.
“They (youth) are the key elements that can make such an intervention successful and workable,’’ she added. The youth leader then urged participants to ensure that they go back with purposeful action plans through digging into the wealth of experience to be derived from the presenters who are movers and shakers in society today.
“This seminar came at an ideal time when the youth felt they are not given enough opportunities, and that their voices are not heard,’’ she said.
Busch also encouraged the younger generation to make optimal use of the instrumentality of the seminar to network with all the youthful presenters who had excelled in life, and are in leadership positions today.
“Our youth of today are positive actors in today’s society, contributing positively towards nation building,’’ she continued.
Programmes currently operational under the NYC include the Credit for Youth in Business initiative, as well as the Modern Agri-Business and Equipment Aid Scheme projects.
“The credit scheme is a microloan project in partnership with Bank Windhoek, whereby upcoming entrepreneurs are receiving a grant ranging from N$3 000 to N$20 000 as start-up capital,’’ Busch explained.
The Agri-Business programme has the aim of promoting horticulture to enable beneficiaries to set up their own vegetable gardens for self-consumption and sale of produce at affordable prices to communities. ‘’The Equipment Aid Scheme was introduced to assist the youth to obtain equipment in order to start their business accordingly,’’ she observed.
The previous Youth Development Training Programme is also currently under review after the technical partners are no more assisting the NYC.
“I am one of the participants who graduated from this programme, which provided me with excellent leadership skills,’’ Busch added.
The NYC is operating through regional and constituency structures countrywide. The new board was elected in December 2020.
-sklukowski@nepc.com.na