National Youth Chaos
The scenes that reportedly unfolded at the National Youth Council (NYC) elective congress are nothing short of a disgrace. What should have been a democratic gathering to discuss the future of Namibia’s young people reportedly descended into chaos, intimidation and alleged physical altercations. Instead of ideas triumphing over personalities, disorder appears to have overshadowed substance. […]
The scenes that reportedly unfolded at the National Youth Council (NYC) elective congress are nothing short of a disgrace.
What should have been a democratic gathering to discuss the future of Namibia’s young people reportedly descended into chaos, intimidation and alleged physical altercations. Instead of ideas triumphing over personalities, disorder appears to have overshadowed substance. Instead of leadership, the nation witnessed behaviour unbecoming of institutions entrusted with representing the aspirations of Namibia’s youth.
There is no sugar-coating this reality.
If reports emerging from the gathering are accurate, then the events constitute a national embarrassment.
What makes the situation even more unacceptable is the cost attached to this spectacle. More than N$2 million is understood to have been spent on this congress. In a country battling youth unemployment, inadequate educational resources, limited opportunities for young entrepreneurs and increasing social pressures on young people, taxpayers are entitled to ask a simple question: what exactly did Namibia receive in return for this investment?
Certainly not a shining example of democratic maturity.
Certainly not an inspiring model of youth leadership.
Certainly not confidence that the country’s future is in capable hands.
