Patience Makwele
One Economy Foundation executive chairperson Monica Geingos has called for greater tolerance of youth organisations that fail, saying young people need trust, resources and space to turn their ideas into meaningful impact.
Geingos made the remarks on Friday during the #BeFree Big Talk in Windhoek, where she joined a panel discussion on “From Ideation to Impact: Who Is Holding the Door Open?”
She said young people should not wait for perfect conditions before taking up leadership roles.
“Lead from where you are. You don’t have to wait for perfection,” Geingos said.
She also called for greater investment in youth-led ideas and stronger collaboration between generations.
“Put money behind young people and their ideas,” she said.
Geingos said young people and older generations can become barriers to one another when there is a lack of trust and support.
“We are all barriers to one another,” she said.
She called for greater tolerance when youth organisations do not succeed.
“We must have tolerance for youth organisations that have failed,” Geingos said.
Her remarks come as young Namibians continue to face high unemployment and challenges in moving from education and training into sustainable employment and entrepreneurship.
According to the 2023 Population and Housing Census Labour Force Report, the unemployment rate among young people aged 15 to 34 stood at 44.4%, while the broader measure including the potential labour force was 61.4%.
The census also found that 41.9% of young people were not in employment, education or training.
United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator to Namibia Hopolang Phororo challenged young people to examine what genuine leadership requires, including the ability to articulate their priorities and engage strategically.
She encouraged young people to make use of platforms such as the UN Youth Advisory structures and build partnerships that can help move their recommendations into action.
Member of Parliament Willem Amutenya said leadership should be measured by the impact it creates.
He also called for ecosystems that create opportunities for young people and legislation that supports the Sustainable Development Goals.
Environmental Investment Fund representative Keith Handura urged young people to remain patient, take ownership of their initiatives and work collaboratively.
“Rome wasn’t built in a day,” Handura said.
He encouraged young people to focus on the problems they are trying to solve, make use of mentorship and explore funding opportunities such as the National Youth Fund.
Africa Regional Representative at the Commonwealth Youth Council Rosy Schaneck challenged young people to look beyond leadership titles and consider how they are using the resources available to them.
“What are you doing with what you have been given?” Schaneck asked.
She also urged young people to move beyond cliques, maximise available resources and strengthen networks among themselves.
The panel discussion, which was moderated by Jemimah Ndebele, focused on what genuine youth leadership looks like and what is needed to move young people from being consulted to taking leadership roles.
Schaneck urged young people to move beyond cliques, maximise available resources and strengthen networks among themselves, challenging them to look beyond leadership titles and ask: “What are you doing with what you have been given?”
