‘Curse’ of the youth council

Violent NYC election collapses over safety, critics call for reform

The state-funded National Youth Council’s future is in jeopardy after violence and the electoral committee’s resignation forced the postponement of its Swakopmund general assembly this weekend.

Critics are calling for the institution to be dismantled.

Minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture Sanet Steenkamp yesterday described the interruption of proceedings on Saturday as “unacceptable, unruly conduct and violence”.

Delegates were scheduled to elect a new National Youth Council (NYC) executive chairperson, with candidates Esther Simon and Simon Taapopi emerging as front runners, but chaos erupted leaving nine injured.

The injured delegates subsequently received medical treatment and have since been discharged from hospital.

Steenkamp and her deputy, Dino Ballotti, this weekend visited those affected and strongly condemned the violence.