INTERVIEW: Utaara Mootu Advocates for Youth Entrepreneurship in Parliament

In a decisive move aimed at catalyzing youth entrepreneurship in Namibia, Utaara Mootu, a prominent member of the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) and Member of Parliament, has tabled a motion demanding urgent government action. The motion, slated for debate, focuses squarely on enhancing financial support for young entrepreneurs.

Mootu’s initiative calls for transparent accountability from the government regarding its commitment to and performance in funding youth entrepreneurship and startup ecosystems. At the heart of the motion lies a critical evaluation of the effectiveness of current government schemes. These schemes, which include grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000, are intended to kickstart businesses and drive economic transformation.

“We are not merely critiquing,” Mootu emphasized. “We are offering concrete solutions to empower young people and make them the cornerstone of economic activity in our country.” This sentiment underscores the urgency of creating a robust framework that not only supports SMEs but also dismantles bureaucratic hurdles that stymie entrepreneurial growth.

The statistics are stark: with six out of every ten Namibians between 18 and 34 years old unemployed, the need for action is palpable. Mootu’s motion is a rallying call to prioritize youth in policymaking and allocate substantial resources to foster their business ventures. It challenges the government to move beyond rhetoric and tangibly demonstrate its commitment to youth empowerment.

In a conversation with Future Media News, Mootu outlined the motion’s objectives: “We seek to provoke significant enhancements in government policies by identifying and strengthening existing schemes and grants.” Her passionate advocacy resonates with labor activists and citizens alike who view entrepreneurship as a viable avenue to tackle unemployment and drive economic growth.

“We need the government to not just listen but to act decisively,” Mootu asserted. “Our aim is not only to criticize but to collaborate on creating transformative policies that uplift lives.”

As Namibia stands on the brink of economic transformation, Mootu’s motion serves as a beacon of hope for young entrepreneurs, signaling a potential shift towards a future where youth-driven initiatives thrive and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s prosperity.

The debate on Mootu’s motion promises to be a pivotal moment in Namibia’s legislative agenda, where the outcomes could chart a new course for youth empowerment and economic vitality.