By Marx Itamalo

COUNCILLLORS in the northern regions of the country have expressed optimism about the impact that the national youth fund will have on unemployment reduction and economy boosting they say it will massively improve the lives of many youths in the country, especially in rural areas, where the majority do not have means to access capital to establish their projects or businesses. The fund, which was capitalized to the tune of N$ 257 million will see selected youths from all the country’s 121 constituencies receive equipment to assist them with the operations of their businesses or projects. 

The program will kick of this week. Regional councilors from across the country have been calling youth from their constituencies to visit their regional councilor’s offices to pick up application forms. 

Confidente spoke to several councilors to inquire how the fund would help the successful youths in their constituencies.
“I think it will make a big difference. We have many youths in our constituency who are unemployed, are willing to work but there are no opportunities,” said Ondangwa urban councilor Kaushiweni Abraham. He indicated that there are already several running youth projects in his constituency that has been operating at a slow pace due to lack of capital or equipment. 
He believes, if such projects are injected with capital or equipment, they would provide employment to many youth, provide income and uplift communities.

“I know what I am talking about here. I have been at the helm of this constituency for a long time and I know the youth in my constituency. They want to work. 

They are hungry for jobs. This initiative is a blessing because we have been motivating them for too long that if opportunities like these do appear one day, they should not let them slip by,” he stressed.

Joseph Shilongo, the regional councilor for Nehale lya Mpingana in Oshikoto also expressed optimism about the fund, saying it would address the issue of unemployment amongst the youth in his constituency especially those from the San community.
“We welcome it. We have been briefed and if what were told is what is going to happen, then it is a good initiative,” he stressed. Shilongo said that his office was already bursting at the seams with youth from the constituency seeking application forms to apply.

“We have assembled a team of certain erudite individuals from the constituency to explain the whole process to them. We do not want anyone to be disadvantaged by mistakes. The deadline is near and we want everyone to try their best,” he stated.
Johannes Iyambo from Otamanzi in Omusati, said it was his wish that the high level of unemployment amongst the country’s youth is reduced by the scheme," of late we had a high rate of suicides in the country and these suicides were mostly amongst the youth. A naked eye could even establish that unemployment and poverty were among the main culprits. So, let this scheme work for the benefit of the youth,” he said. Robert Haufiku, a local entrepreneur active in the catering and entertainment industry in Oshana and Ohangwena regions, told Confidente the fund would change the youth’s perception about government’s commitment to uplifting its citizen’s lives.

“It is not only about the youth. Its about every citizen. Of course, the youth will be the engine behind production, but think of how many people who will be supported by the money the employed youth will get these projects. 
So, we have to thank the government for such an initiative.  The youth can now see that the government is up to the task,” he pointed out.