Swapo Party President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called on Namibia's young people to actively participate in strengthening the country's democracy, stressing that open dialogue, positive engagement and mutual understanding are essential to safeguarding the nation's political stability.
Nandi-Ndaitwah engaged the party's young people during the Youth in Conversation with the President event in Windhoek, an initiative of the Swapo Party Youth League.
She said democracy can only thrive when citizens communicate honestly and respectfully.
"We must engage one another, we must listen to one another, and we must share information. Once you have a misunderstanding, your democracy is in danger. In that engagement, I want everybody to have a positive attitude. It does not help to come with a negative attitude; you will never get anything."
Encouraging young people to participate freely in discussions, the Swapo Party leader said that no question should be considered "hard" or inappropriate if asked with sincerity.
"If in your mind you are positive and honestly asking because you want to know, because you want to see what role you can play in the development of our country, those are the questions we need."
Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasised that Namibia's long-term development plans, including Vision 2030 and the NDP6, are grounded in ensuring that the country's natural resources directly benefit its people, particularly the youth, describing youth empowerment as central to achieving sustainable development and shared prosperity.
The Swapo leader highlighted the Youth Development Fund as one of the key initiatives aimed at driving youth-led economic growth.
"We have started to test it. Forty-two youth entities were supported, three from every region, and this is how it will continue. It's going to be truly decentralised. If we give 10 at a time, it will be 10 from each region."
The fund, with an overall budget of N$257 million, has already disbursed N$42 million to the first youth projects. These ventures are expected to create more than 300 jobs.
The Swapo Party leadership also introduced its candidates for the upcoming Regional Councils and Local Authority Elections.
It is contesting all the en constituencies in |Khomas Region as well as the Windhoek City Council.