Windhoek
Twenty youths from four various institutions will spend six months in South Africa, where they will undergo training in various fields, as well as carry out community work as part of the Youth Exchange Programme.
The Youth Exchange Programme is a bilateral agreement between the National Youth Service (NYS) and National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) of South Africa.
Terefine Angula from the University of Namibia (Unam) says the programme will improve her knowledge and develop her skills. “I will come back to apply the knowledge through community service and this will benefit the nation at large,” she says.
Gerddine Gomxos from the Polytechnic of Namibia says the programme benefits both countries. “This is providing opportunities for the youth and it exposes and encourages the youth to be involved in community work. The youth are the future leaders and they need a good mindset for the future of the whole nation,” notes Gomxos.
“It is a privilege to be part of this group and I am honoured,” says Priskila Uushona from the Namibia College of Open Learning (Namcol) adding that the youth development work and training they will undergo will assist them in activities, such as entrepreneurship, career guidance and counselling. “The programme will benefit the whole nation as we will give back to the nation when we are back from the training,” says Uushona.
Martha Timoteus from International University of Management (IUM) says on her return she will voluntarily share what she learned with fellow youth. This will be the second group of Namibian youths to go to South Africa through the Youth Exchange Programme.