The scenes that reportedly unfolded at the National Youth Council (NYC) elective congress are nothing short of a disgrace.
What should have been a democratic gathering to discuss the future of Namibia’s young people reportedly descended into chaos, intimidation and alleged physical altercations. Instead of ideas triumphing over personalities, disorder appears to have overshadowed substance. Instead of leadership, the nation witnessed behaviour unbecoming of institutions entrusted with representing the aspirations of Namibia’s youth.
There is no sugar-coating this reality.
If reports emerging from the gathering are accurate, then the events constitute a national embarrassment.
What makes the situation even more unacceptable is the cost attached to this spectacle. More than N$2 million is understood to have been spent on this congress. In a country battling youth unemployment, inadequate educational resources, limited opportunities for young entrepreneurs and increasing social pressures on young people, taxpayers are entitled to ask a simple question: what exactly did Namibia receive in return for this investment?
Certainly not a shining example of democratic maturity.
Certainly not an inspiring model of youth leadership.
Certainly not confidence that the country’s future is in capable hands.
The National Youth Council was established with noble intentions. It was envisioned as a platform to empower young Namibians, advocate for youth development and serve as a bridge between policymakers and the next generation. It was never intended to become a battleground for factional interests, personality cults and power struggles.
Yet that is precisely the image that has repeatedly emerged.
The greatest tragedy is that the conduct witnessed at such gatherings does not merely damage the reputation of the individuals involved. It damages the credibility of youth leadership itself.
Leadership is not measured by slogans, T-shirts or election victories. Leadership is measured by conduct under pressure. Leadership is demonstrated through discipline, humility and the ability to place institutions above personal ambitions.
Unfortunately, many youth-led organisations across Namibia are increasingly displaying the opposite characteristics.
What should concern the nation is that these are the very structures expected to produce the country’s future leaders.
If young leaders cannot conduct an internal congress with dignity and order, how can they convincingly claim readiness to manage public institutions, municipalities or even national government?
This question may be uncomfortable, but it must be asked.
The country is facing a growing crisis of leadership within youth structures. Too many organisations have become consumed by internal battles rather than external solutions. Too much energy is devoted to positions rather than programmes. Too many individuals seek titles before they have demonstrated service.
The culture of entitlement has begun replacing the culture of sacrifice.
And therein lies the danger.
Namibia’s liberation generation understood that leadership required discipline. One did not seek office for prestige but for responsibility. Today, however, some youth formations increasingly resemble miniature versions of the toxic political cultures they often criticise.
The irony is painful.
Young people regularly demand accountability from older generations. They speak passionately about ethical governance, transparency and renewal. Yet when opportunities arise to demonstrate these values within their own institutions, the outcomes are often disappointing.
Accountability cannot be selective.
It cannot be demanded from others while being ignored at home.
This is why the nation now awaits the response of the Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, Sanet Steenkamp.
Silence is no longer an option.
The National Youth Council falls under her ministry’s portfolio, and the Namibian public deserves answers. What exactly transpired? How was public money utilised? Were proper governance procedures followed? Were there breaches of conduct? If so, what consequences will follow?
These questions are neither political nor unreasonable.
They are questions of accountability.
Minister Steenkamp has built a reputation as a capable public servant. This moment now presents an opportunity to demonstrate that standards matter and that institutions under her watch will not be allowed to descend into disorder without consequence.
The issue extends beyond personalities.
This is about public trust.
More than N$2 million represents school infrastructure, youth business grants, sports equipment and countless developmental initiatives that could have directly benefited young Namibians. Public resources are sacred. They are not unlimited.
Taxpayers deserve value for money.
And when value is absent, accountability must follow.
The Windhoek Observer therefore calls for a full report on the congress, including expenditure details, procedural outcomes and explanations regarding the incidents that reportedly occurred.
Transparency should not be feared. It should be embraced.
Equally, those entrusted with leading youth organisations must engage in serious introspection. The purpose of leadership is not self-glorification. It is service.
Namibia’s youth deserve better than scenes of disorder.
They deserve institutions that inspire confidence.
They deserve leaders who understand that influence is earned through character and competence, not through noise and confrontation.
Above all, they deserve role models.
The future of this country cannot be built on chaos.
It cannot be built on intimidation.
And it certainly cannot be built on the belief that bad behaviour carries no consequences.
The events surrounding this purported congress have already damaged the image of the National Youth Council. The only remaining question is whether those entrusted with oversight possess the courage to act.
Because if leadership means anything, it must mean accountability.
And if accountability means anything, it must begin now.
