Maria David
SWAPO Party Youth League (SPYL) Central Committee members donned Ongwediva’s blue, red, and green on Friday, with the Swapo melody echoing from a distance as they gathered at the Ongwediva Multi-purpose Centre for their second central committee meeting.
The meeting was graced by Swapo Party Secretary General Sophia Shaningwa, who accompanied the party’s presidential candidate for the 2024 election, Nandi-Ndaitwah.
Nandi-Ndaitwah urged the central committee members to critically analyze the economic and social situation of the country to find a solution for the benefit of the Namibian people.
“When debating, disagree to agree and must not take sides but rather listen to each other if you are to find a solution to the challenges faced by the people,” she said.
She reminded the central committee that she was carried by young people during the congress last year, and they need to continue to work together to meet the aspirations of the young people.
Nandi-Ndaitwah also stressed that it is time to work hard for the interest of all Namibian people.
Meanwhile, Ephraim Nekongo, SPYL Secretary, said they made a collective commitment to the young people of Namibia to serve them diligently.
Nekongo asked the members of the central committee to remain united for the people that gave them the mandate to run the affairs of the youth.
“That we have now passed the congress, I request you all to remain united at all times,” he stressed.
Further, he said that they need to put the interest of the party first and put aside their individual differences if they are to achieve greater heights.
Moreover, Nekongo also told the gathering that the congress last year made various resolutions, which include ensuring that young people are included in party leadership.
“We are now demanding that the young people be given an opportunity to sit at the high table of leadership,” he said.
He added that they are not asking to be wheelbarrowed but fairly be considered into leadership, saying the Women’s Council did it, why not the youth.
Further, he added that the second committee is dedicated to the young people with the focus on youth unemployment with hope to find an amicable solution.
“We have qualifications, but they are put under a suitcase; industries must be able to absorb us,” he added.
Moreover, Nekongo said that the second focus of the meeting is addressing the issue of portable water, saying people are still drinking well water.
He then singled out Oshikoto region, where water has been a challenge with many villages still drinking salty water or water from wells.
According to him, they want to demand two things: water be declared a state of emergency in the country; people cannot be struggling with water.
“If we contributed to building a railway, then we can also contribute to pipe digging and also drill for water; if you give us the drilling machine, we can do the job,” he said.
Nekongo also called on the government to re-look at the drought provision made by the government, noting that many communities are affected badly and have nothing or little to feed on.
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