Stefanus Nashama
Monica Geingos, the First Lady of Namibia, has called on families to come forward to create urgent interventions for youth empowerment.
Geingos made the call while addressing the youth at the ‘Be Free Youth Concert’ official launch yesterday in Windhoek.
She said that families are supposed to play their role in the future of the youth by providing love and ensuring protection, having a sense of belonging, and offering financial support for youth development programs.
“There should be parental involvement in youth matters, and without all these, families have not played their role in youth engagement and development as supposed to be,” she stressed.
Geingos indicated that the ‘Be Free Youth Concert’ will establish and build a youth campus where many youth development activities will be taking place. After the building is done, it will be handed over to the ministry, because it belongs to the ministry, she added.
“We spoke to the Ministry of Sports, Youth, and National Service about building a youth concert. The ministry gave us 5 000 square meters. We will put up the building,” she said.
Geingos indicated that the concert will collaborate with other organizations and stakeholders, introduce entrepreneur and business courses and raise capital for those who will complete the courses.
The concert starts on 1 September 2023 in Windhoek, Katutura Independence Arena.
According to Geingos, Bible classes, discussion of youth unemployment, business development, access to finance means, and family mediation to discuss children and youth-related matters are among other activities targeted in the youth concert journey. “The activities we will be doing here are part of intergeneration,” she said.
“We happened to have young people who want to be where they want but have no financial means. This will be a good platform for youth to come together, share ideas and knowledge, and discuss issues for youth development,” emphasized.
How to raise funds
Geingos said the Be Free Youth Concert has already introduced a financial means, selling 30 percent of tickets to young people, elders, and stakeholders who want to contribute and participate in youth development, and hosting gala dinners among other strategies to mobilize funds.
“We will be using our own money to do all these, including fixing the current place which belongs to the Ministry of Works and Transport, to be used for the first phase, as from the 1 September while the Youth Concert building is to be finalized,” The First Lady explained.
“Shooting first and aim later is my philosophy,” she encouraged the youth.
She has since urged all Namibians to support this journey as it contributes to a greater society and youth development in the country.
