Namibia - Youth Festival

Windhoek — The Tobias Hainyeko constituency on Saturday hosted a Youth Cultural Festival and Career Option Fair at its constituency office. Young and old people alike and participants from neighbouring constituencies such as Moses Garoeb constituency attended the one-day event that was the first of its kind.

Tobias Hainyeko has 34 348 residents of which 1023 live with disabilities and pensioners consist of one percent of the entire population of the constituency. Youth are reportedly the majority.

Financial problems, identity and cultural crisis, substance abuse, loss of parents and guardians due to HIV/AIDS related illness, stigma and discrimination are just some of the problems that plague the constituency's youth.

School dropouts find it difficult to sustain themselves or to go for vocational training due to financial constraints and those who go to tertiary institutions are often faced with financial difficulties.

The fair was thus organised with the hope to transform the vulnerable youth in the constituency.

Both young and old people displayed their stands with goods to sell or market. Traditional food such as mopane worms, oshingali and porridge are just some of the food that was on sale.

Institutions such as the International University of Management (IUM) also had stands where they gave out information about the institution. Cultural performances strongly featured.

Different speakers were invited to speak at the event. Deputy Director of Art in the Ministry of Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture, Ervast Mutota, in speaking about the arts mentioned procedures young people can follow to enhance their skills and to go for further studies.

Mutota said arts are extra-special skills that can make youth work anywhere in the world.

Mutota encouraged those with art works in their houses to take them out for the outside world to see.

On behalf of the Khomas Region Governor, Samuel Nuuyoma, his special adviser Moses !Omeb said career guidance is very important as it helps students select from the many courses on offer.

"It is therefore important that when you choose a field of study make sure it is relevant to the needs of our country," !Omeb said.

He added that it is important for youth to hold on to their cultures and learn to appreciate one another's cultures. Secretary of the Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL), Dr Elijah Ngurare, emphasized the importance of culture and the need for Namibians to appreciate their roots.

Sylvia Noa a young woman from the constituency said she is proud that traditional food was sold at the event as cooked traditional food is not found in most shops.

Noa said the fair is a step in the right direction in that many young people in Tobias Hainyeko lack information.

"Today we learnt a lot. All youths that were not here today must join next year," said Noa. The festival was organised by the Tobias Hainyeko constituency and the Swapo Party Youth League of Tobias Hainyeko and the College of the Arts.