On Monday, 2 November 2026, Landless People's Movement (LPM) leader Bernadus Swartbooi expressed concerns over the government's handling of youth unemployment in Namibia. According to Swartbooi, many young Namibians are struggling to find employment, with some being forced to rely on small-scale farming to make ends meet. He questioned the effectiveness of the government's strategy to address youth unemployment.
Swartbooi stated that the number of young people seeking employment is increasing, with 279,500 individuals currently unemployed. He noted that this number is alarming and requires immediate attention from the government. The LPM leader also highlighted that some young people are being forced to engage in subsistence farming, with 27% of the population relying on this form of livelihood.
The LPM leader criticized the government's approach to addressing youth unemployment, stating that it is not effective. Swartbooi argued that the government's strategy is not yielding desired results, with many young people still struggling to find employment. He also questioned the allocation of funds for youth empowerment programs, stating that it is unclear how the funds are being utilized.
Swartbooi further stated that many young people are struggling to access financial resources, with some being forced to rely on loans from informal lenders. He noted that this has led to a cycle of poverty, with many young people struggling to make ends meet. The LPM leader also highlighted that some young people are being forced to drop out of school due to financial constraints.
According to Swartbooi, the government's youth empowerment programs have not been effective in addressing youth unemployment. He stated that some programs have been marred by corruption, with funds being misappropriated by officials. Swartbooi also highlighted that some young people are being forced to rely on social media to access information about employment opportunities.
Swartbooi urged the government to review its strategy for addressing youth unemployment, stating that a new approach is needed. He suggested that the government should focus on creating jobs and providing financial support to young entrepreneurs. The LPM leader also highlighted that the government should prioritize education and skills development to equip young people with the skills needed to compete in the job market.
The issue of youth unemployment remains a major challenge in Namibia, with many young people struggling to find employment. According to Swartbooi, the government needs to take a more proactive approach to addressing this issue. With the youth making up a significant proportion of the population, it is imperative that the government prioritizes their needs and develops effective strategies to address their concerns.
Key points
- The Landless People's Movement leader has criticized the government's handling of youth unemployment in Namibia.
- Many young Namibians are struggling to find employment, with some being forced to rely on small-scale farming.
- The LPM leader has urged the government to review its strategy for addressing youth unemployment.
