Youth Unemployment

Interview: Calls grow for annual job data to hold government accountable and guide effective policy

Labour expert and social justice advocate Herbert Jauch says the absence of up-to-date employment statistics is crippling the country’s ability to address its mounting unemployment crisis. Speaking to Future Media, Jauch said government has not released a full Labour Force Survey since 2018 — leaving policymakers, citizens, and researchers in the dark. Jauch explained that while the Namibia Statistics Agency had once aimed for biennial labour updates, financial constraints and […]

24 June, 2025 2

Interview Transcripts

Interview: Namises Urges Practical Action From Nekundi to Tackle Hunger and Joblessness

Windhoek – Social justice activist Rosa Namises has called on Works and Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi to go beyond rhetoric and present clear, practical strategies to tackle hunger and unemployment. Reacting to the Minister's recent public address, Namises said the time for abstract promises is over, and what citizens now demand are concrete plans with measurable outcomes. In a passionate statement shared in the early hours of the morning, Namises […]

16 June, 2025 8

Namibia

Political Analyst says Prime Minister’s youth job plan misses the mark — urges structural reform

Photo: Contributed Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanya has criticised Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare’s strategy to fight youth unemployment by placing young people in the police, military, and correctional services. Kamwanya says these are service institutions, not employment solutions, and the plan is largely symbolic, failing to address deeper economic issues. Kamwanya pointed out the mismatch: “If I’m studying engineering or education… does that mean I must go and join the police, […]

11 June, 2025 15

Namibia

Youth unemployment crisis draws national attention as MP calls for action

Swapo MP Emma Muteko has raised alarm over the escalating youth unemployment crisis, particularly in the Kavango East and Omusati regions, calling for an urgent investigation into the root causes affecting young people aged 15 to 24. Speaking during a session of the National Council, Muteko expressed concern about the persistent lack of opportunities for the country’s youth and urged the government to clarify what is driving the regional disparities […]

21 May, 2025 58 2

Business / Economics

SMEs crucial to Namibia’s economic growth, says FNB

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are playing a growing role in economic development, with their impact reaching beyond just job creation. According to FNB Namibia's Head of SME, Nesdha De Jongh, SMEs are key to addressing some of the country’s most pressing issues, including high youth unemployment and inequality. “SMEs are the backbone of the economy,” De Jongh said. “We need to empower their growth so that they’ll be able […]

20 May, 2025 61

Namibia

President Nandi-Ndaitwah outlines policy priorities in State of the Nation Address

WINDHOEK — In her first State of the Nation Address since assuming office, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah laid out a policy agenda focused on economic recovery, social equity, youth employment, and the restoration of public trust in government institutions. Speaking before a joint session of Parliament on Thursday afternoon, Nandi-Ndaitwah acknowledged the country’s persistent economic and social challenges, but said her administration is committed to “delivering practical, people-centered solutions” aimed at […]

25 April, 2025 167

Uncategorized

Unemployment in Namibia – A call for multi-sectoral action

Sydwill Scholtz By: Sydwill Scholtz, Labour Analyst The Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) released the latest 2023 unemployment statistics for the country in January 2025, and, needless to say, the results are nothing shy of shocking. The results indicate that unemployment remains a significant social challenge in the country with the inherent ripple effect of poverty and social unrest detracting from the country's economic growth and development as […]

26 February, 2025 140

Namibia

Labour Statistics exclusion raises questions

The Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) is expected to release its Labour Statistics on 29 January 2025. However, the agency has come under fire for excluding unemployment figures and the Labour Force Survey from its 2023 Census Report, sparking concerns over transparency and accountability. Youth, who form a significant portion of Namibia's 1.4 million voters, are particularly impacted. According to an Afrobarometer survey, unemployment stands at 43% overall, with youth unemployment […]

21 November, 2024 53

Interview Transcripts

INTERVIEW: ANONYMOS X WALVISBAAI: A Candid Conversation on Local Struggles and the Reality of Life in Walvis Bay

Nov 20, 2024 In a candid conversation with local activists and residents of Walvis Bay, an anonymous call campaign has sparked a dialogue on the challenges faced by the town, which is often overshadowed by its image as a key port city. The campaign, aimed at shedding light on issues too often ignored by politicians, reveals a town struggling with unemployment, underfunded public services, and ongoing community unrest. Below […]

20 November, 2024 18