TSES… Despite facing unemployment and a lack of training and self-development opportunities, the younger generation in Tses village, situated 80km north of Keetmanshoop, refuse to give up hope.
Marcel Eiseb, chairperson of the Tses Youth Group, told New Era that they have to find all kinds of other avenues to keep themselves busy as a measure to defy boredom.
He said staying idle leads to substance abuse, immoral behaviour and crime . “Consequently, we gathered some time ago and agreed that living out of our talents can pave the way for us to keep busy, hence we formed the Tses Youth Choir, “ he noted. The youth leader continued: “Plans are now underway to arrange some musical performances whereby we will charge the audience a minimal fee to see us in action, and from this income generated we want to start self-employment projects.”
Also contributing, Delisha Goliath said it is very disheartening for them as the younger generation of the village, after all concerted efforts of completing their secondary education, to now have to roam the streets in the absence of employment and training opportunities. “Some of us have landed in hot water with law-enforcement agencies for using illegal substances or committing crimes whilst other girls were subjected to unwanted, unplanned pregnancies, “ she decried.
Goliath added that the youth are now, due to circumstances beyond their control, forced to mostly depend on the social grants their grandparents are receiving, worsening the socio-economic dilemma in the village.
This publication further caught up recently with Sylvanus Muzorongondo (21), who decided that instead of waiting on assistance, he would start helping his mother in her small carpentry shop in Tses.
“We kicked off the business seven months ago after my elder brother David received some carpentry tools from the office of the Berseba Constituency councillor. Our mother is running the administration and finances,” he stated. Muzorongondo added that they are mainly repairing broken furniture from residents, but additionally also manufacture cupboards and chairs, which they sell to customers for a living.
When approached by this reporter, Tses Village Council chairperson Julian Christiaan, who is advocating for youth development, said the local authority previously received a welcome donation of a big printing machine, television and electricity generator from the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology for purposes of assisting unemployed youth.
“These youngsters can now make photocopies against payment for the public, and in addition rent out the generator to customers when the need arises, which at least brings a few dollars into their pockets,” he added. The youth furthermore have access to view educational programmes during weekends, whilst some of them are also assisting learners with homework and assignments to keep themselves busy.