Vice President Lucia Witbooi is calling on young people from indigenous communities to take advantage of the newly launched National Youth Fund.
She made the appeal while speaking in Tsumeb during the celebration of the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples.
Namibians joined the indigenous people in celebrating the country's rich cultural heritage and traditions.
Nationally recognised indigenous minority communities are the San, Ovatue, and Ovatjimba, who make up about three percent of the total population.
Vice-President Witbooi said the government remains committed to the development of all communities, regardless of their diversity, their size, or their history.
It is against this background that she urged the youth in these communities to apply for support through the newly launched National Youth Fund.
"I will pay close attention and monitor the implementation of the Fund to ensure maximum benefits for marginalised youth. To the beneficiaries of these programmes, I implore you to use these opportunities not just for personal advancement but to uplift families and plough back into your communities."
The Office of the Vice President has taken on the responsibility of serving marginalised and disabled communities, ensuring better coordination.
This year's theme, "Indigenous Peoples and Artificial Intelligence: Defending Rights, Shaping Futures", advocates for the inclusion of indigenous minorities in the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
Wally |Homeb, an advocate for Indigenous Youth Minorities, called for caution in the use of AI to ensure that it respects cultural identities and does not perpetuate existing inequalities.
"Ancestral intelligence is real intelligence, and AI has everything to learn from it. AI has the potential to empower, right? However, if we are not vigilant, it can become a new frontier of digital colonisation with our languages and stories without our consent."
|Homeb said it is key to ensure that artificial intelligence policies are led by indigenous voices.