Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service Celebrates International Youth Day, 12 August 2020 Under The Theme “Youth Engagement for Global Action”

THE Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service is mandated by the Namibian Government to develop and empower the youth and to promote sport and it is committed to realize the outcomes related to youth development in its contribution to the National Development Goals as set out in NDP5, Harambee Prosperity Plan as well as Vision 2030 and the MTEF.

In line with its vision as dynamic Institution recognized in excelling sport, empowering youth to be self-reliant and productive citizens and its mission to creating an enabling environment for sustainable development, empowerment and promotion of Sport and Youth, the Ministry commemorates the international Youth Day annually with key stakeholders. In this regard, the Ministry in collaboration with the LIDAR foundation a local Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) with support from UNFPA, intends to commemorate the International Youth Day 2020 on the 12 August in Khomas.

The theme of the International Youth Day 2020, “Youth Engagement for Global Action” seeks to highlight the ways in which the engagement of young people at the local, national and global levels is enriching national and multilateral institutions and processes, as well as draw lessons on how their representation and engagement in formal institutional politics can be significantly enhanced.

The International Youth day gives an opportunity to celebrate and mainstream young people’s voices, actions and initiatives, as well as their meaningful, universal and equitable engagement. The Khomas Regional Youth Office plans to engage 85 young mothers from the LIDAR Foundation as beneficiaries in celebrating this year’s International Youth Day on the Impact of Covid-19 pandemic young mothers on childcare.

The Ministry recognizes that we live in a global village which presents equally both challenges and opportunities for the Namibian Youth. Sexual and Reproductive Health issues such as unwanted pregnancies, HIV/AIDS, maternal mortality, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), minimal access to health and education services remain a challenge among young people, thus we support adolescents and young people’s sexual and reproductive health needs through the Youth Friendly clinics in collaboration with the Namibia Planned Parenthood Association (NAPPA), operational in 7 Regions (Khomas, !Kharas, Erongo, Omusati, Ohangwena, Kavango East and Zambezi that ensure access to comprehensive sexuality education; services to prevent, diagnose and treat STI’s; HIV Counselling and Testing; provision of contraceptives and counselling on a range of SRHR related issues.

The SRHR programme has reached more than 25 000 young people on social behaviour change communication, the number of young people accessing SRHR information is intensified through the condomise campaign done in collaboration with Ministry of Health and Social Services, AfriYAN and NAPPA, supported by UNFPA with the aim of demystifying the myths and misconceptions around condom use, 58 473 condoms and 10 300 Femidoms were distributed to young people during the campaign in different Regions. In ensuring that our adolescents and young women manage menstruation adequately and with dignity, the Ministry supports the Namibia Freeflow campaign to provide sanitary pads to the vulnerable communities. This campaign distributed 4580 sanitary pads distributed to the neediest girls in Seringkop, Opuwo, Uis, Kahenge, Groot Aub, Kamagoro, Katimamulilo, Rundu and Eenhana.

TRAINING AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

Impart skills through training in order for youth to become employable or self-employed/self reliant

YOUTH ENTERPRISE PILLAR

It is the mandate of the Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service to ensure that young people are capacitated with the necessary skills that enable them to contribute to employment creation and poverty eradication of Namibia. To realize these the Ministry has embarked upon entrepreneurship programs that enables young people who are willing and able to voluntary approach the ministry for them to participate in the initiatives.

121 Youth Enterprises: We have achieved the target as set in HPP to establish and register 121 Rural Youth Enterprises who have further developed Business Plans. The Ministry is in the process of mobilizing for resources for realisation of operations. Active Stakeholders: DBN & UNAM

NAMIBIA YOUTH CREDIT SCHEME

Namibia Youth Credit Scheme was initially piloted in 2006- 2007 and approved for rolling out by Cabinet in 2008. About 8000 young people are funded under the programme to a tune of 20 million Namibia Dollars. During the Financial year 2019 / 2020 more than 160 youth received higher loans and first loans to a tune of 2, 4 million. The funds are disbursed in a loan form of which every young person is awaited to pay back. This is an ongoing project that continues to fund Young entrepreneurs

TRAINING CENTERS:

Ministerial Skills Training Centers in Otjozondjupa, Hardap, Omusati, Kavango East and Omaheke regions.

NYS Training Centers: offers civic & skills training in different vocational trades (NQF Level 3) – Rietfontein, Henties Bay & Ondangwa

Rietfontein Vocational Skills Training Centre has capacity for about 2500 youth

Henties Bay Civic Training Centre has capacity for about 600 youth

Ondangwa Vocational Skills Training Centre has capacity for about 200 youth

Frans Dimbare capacity for about 200 youth

Farm Du Plessis Capacity for about 80 youth

Kai Kai//Ganaxab capacity for about 350 youth

Geinegobes Center capacity to accommodate about 30 youth

Berg Aukas capacity for about 300 youth

Okahao capacity to accommodate about 20 youth

Multi-Purpose Youth Resource Centres countrywide (Computer Literacy training & Tailoring training)

PROGRAMMES OFFERED AT YOUTH DIRECTORATE

Information Unit

Child Justice Unit

Environmental Education Unit

Rural Youth Development Unit

Youth Health Unit

Youth Exchange Unit

Training and Employment Unit

National Youth Credit Scheme Program

Children of the Liberation Struggle Program

STATE OWNED ENTERPRISES

National Youth Council of Namibia

National Youth Service of Namibia