Niël Terblanché
President Hage Geingob extended his well wishes to the youth of Africa while extending his hope for their confidence in a brighter future for all as Namibia joined the rest of the continent in celebrating Africa Youth Day 2023.
The occasion on Wednesday not only celebrated the vitality of Africa’s youth but also placed a significant spotlight on the future of education in the continent.
In his statement, Geingob indicated that African Union Heads of State and Government have declared 2024 as the “Year of Education in Africa,” with the theme “Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, equality, and relevant learning in Africa.”
He said the theme stresses the crucial role of education in channelling the passion, creativity, curiosity, energy, and audacity of Africa’s young people, who are regarded as the future guardians of the continent’s political, governance, and socio-economic landscape.
“Namibia, in its pursuit of becoming a world-class and globally competitive society, places a premium on the inclusion, empowerment, and development of young people,” the President said.
He stressed the significance of active youth engagement in the broader vision for development, considering it a matter of astute governance and a sustainable imperative.
According to Geingob, African Union Youth Day holds particular significance as it aligns with the adoption of the 2006 African Youth Charter in Banjul, a charter that Namibia has ratified.
This year’s commemoration focuses intently on a “Youth-Led Movement that Transcends Borders,” shining a bright spotlight on the African Union’s 1 Million Next Level Initiative.
Under the leadership of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, President Moussa Faki Mahamat, this initiative is dedicated to championing Education, Entrepreneurship, Employment, and Engagement.
The commemoration also acknowledges the challenges confronting Africa’s youth in the 21st century, including conflicts in the Middle East, unconstitutional government changes, and the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Geingob, efforts to enhance youth engagement in decision-making and implementation processes are deemed indispensable for the realization of democratic ideals.
The President urged young people to take proactive steps in supporting vulnerable members of their communities, stressing the enduring value of solidarity.
He expressed the hope that this generation of young Africans will be remembered for their united purpose in contributing to a more inclusive, equal, and prosperous continent.
