The danger of politicising independent bodies: The case of the National Youth Council of Namibia

Sakaria Johannes

The National Youth Council (NYC) of Namibia was established through the National Youth Council Act of 1994 as an independent statutory body tasked with promoting, coordinating, and advancing the interests of young people in Namibia.

The institution was created in recognition of the important role that young people play in national development and the need to provide them with a platform through which they can participate in decision-making processes.

The council was never intended to serve the interests of a particular political party or ideological grouping. Rather, it was designed to represent all Namibian youth regardless of political affiliation, social status, ethnicity, religion, or regional background.

The mandate of the National Youth Council includes advising the government on youth matters, coordinating youth organizations, advocating for youth-friendly policies, and promoting active youth participation in social, economic, and political development.