RUNDU – Kavango East governor Bonifatius Wakudumo stressed that Namibia needs youth at the forefront to fight poverty and unemployment that engulfed the country.
This can be done through innovation and the use of technology so that the nation can see the light at the end of the tunnel, he said recently at the Rundu Vocational Training Centre (RVTC)’s official opening of the ‘Innovation, entrepreneurship, sports and cultural festival’ on Wednesday, and which is ending on Sunday.
“This is a very important event to celebrate and promote our cultural heritage, as well as entrepreneurship and innovation amongst trainees. As a country, we need the youths to be engaged in activities which contribute to economic prosperity and alleviation of poverty and unemployment,” he noted.
Wakudumo stated that innovation plays a pivotal role in society as it is the cornerstone of sustained economic growth and prosperity, highlighting that it is indeed the usage of new ideas that lead to the making of any new products, services and processes.
“As we live in a fast-changing world, artisans are required to bring forth new ideas to address the current challenges, and also prepare for the future. Innovation means using new technology and new ways of thinking to add value to an existing idea or product to make substantial changes in our society,” he stated.
“Kavango East is a region with resources in abundance with regards to water, timber and land as well as human resources. Therefore, the onus is on us to innovate ways on how to utilise these resources in an effective and efficient manner in order to uplift the living conditions and standards of our people, as well as the economy of this great region and the Namibian nation in general,” he continued.
Wakudumo then reminded the trainees that “we are living in a very dynamic and exciting time, a time of unprecedented technological breakthroughs, but increasing complexities. I have lived long enough to know that the world was a simpler place to live in. However, today’s problems are more complex, interconnected and global, such as climate change. In fact, some global problems become our national problems, and vice versa.”
“The importance of innovation on society comprises developments in technology and its accessibility, improved environmental sustainability, increased economic growth, and the improved well-being and lifespans of people,” the governor added.
He then pledged to assist in getting support for trainees with good ideas and projects which need funding.
– jmuyamba@nepc.com.na