Young entrepreneurs in rural Namibia are seeking access to land and support to start businesses, saying they should not have to leave their homes to find opportunities elsewhere. At the 45th annual Lusata Cultural Festival in the Zambezi Region, they expressed hope that President Nandi-Ndaitwah's call for traditional authorities to make communal land available for agricultural ventures and ecotourism would lead to practical steps. The young people emphasized that access to land could help them create their own livelihoods instead of waiting for formal employment.
Gift Limbo, a broiler chicken entrepreneur, highlighted the challenges young people face in getting started with their business ideas due to lack of access to land. He said that while the president's remarks offered hope, turning such opportunities into reality would require more than promises. Limbo stressed that land alone would not be enough to make their businesses successful, pointing to the need for financial support to acquire equipment and other essentials. He urged the government to provide clearer information on how young people could apply for communal land.
The president's call was delivered on her behalf by urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa, who urged traditional authorities to work with the government in advancing the objectives of the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6). Nandi-Ndaitwah also emphasized the need to equip young people with skills, discipline, and opportunities to participate in the economy. The young entrepreneurs at the festival welcomed the president's message, but stressed that they needed to be involved in decisions affecting their communities.
Imelda Kumaiba, 32, who works in the tourism sector, said the festival's message was important because it linked cultural preservation with economic development. She believed that local culture and attractions could offer young people opportunities to earn a living through tourism. Kumaiba suggested that young people could be involved in guiding visitors, selling traditional products, and starting small businesses linked to tourism.
Kumaiba urged traditional leaders to listen to young people and involve them in decisions affecting their communities. She emphasized that young people had ideas that could contribute to the development of their communities, but they needed to be given a chance to try. By creating opportunities in rural areas, young people could build their futures without having to relocate in search of work.
The young entrepreneurs at the festival emphasized that they did not want to leave their homes just because they could not find opportunities there. They called on traditional leaders to open up communal land to youth and provide support for their businesses. By doing so, young people could create their own livelihoods and contribute to the development of their communities.
The issue of access to land and support for young entrepreneurs is a pressing concern in Namibia, where many young people face significant challenges in finding employment and starting businesses. The government's efforts to address this issue, including the president's call to traditional authorities, are seen as crucial in unlocking opportunities for young people and promoting economic development in rural areas.
Key points
- President Nandi-Ndaitwah has called on traditional authorities to make communal land available for agricultural ventures and ecotourism.
- Young entrepreneurs in rural Namibia are seeking access to land and support to start businesses.
- The issue of access to land and support for young entrepreneurs is a pressing concern in Namibia, where many young people face significant challenges in finding employment and starting businesses.
