The governor of ||Kharas Region, Dawid Gertze, has urged the youth to take an active role as drivers of the country's economy and in shaping the future. 

The governor made the remarks while addressing the ||Kharas Regional Youth Forum executive committee members during their plenary meeting. 

The meeting serves as a platform where the forum's leadership deliberates on key development issues, reviews progress in regional programs, and plans future initiatives aligned with national youth empowerment goals. 

"Your mission is to break the cycle of dependency and become pioneers of self-reliance. We challenge you not merely to find a place in the existing economy but to shape a new one. Do not just seek employment; generate employment. Do not just follow markets; create new markets."

The meeting also deliberated the allocation and utilisation of N$196,000 received through the Regional and Constituency Youth Forum's fund initiative.

"Manage these resources with the highest degree of integrity, transparency, discipline, and strategic foresight.  We need to develop a robust business plan and adhere to strict financial principles."

The forum's regional coordinator, Drusilla Abed, pledged the prudent utilisation of the funds.

"We are not just supposed to use the funds anyhow; that's why, together with our regional chairperson, they should be guiding us, and the coordinator is also there to see that indeed programmes are implemented. And of course, as the ||Kharas Region has issues of high unemployment. We have issues with teenage pregnancy; your activities are not happening. You know in your constituencies what the need is, so we really want to make sure this money is spent well."

Abed further gave assurance that the funds will also be spent in alignment with the country's sixth development plan. 

The governor also announced that the youth desk in his office will be headed by the forum's regional coordinator.