Namibia’s first Young Parliamentarians Caucus elected its leadership over the weekend after a two-day workshop for young leaders in Windhoek.
In an unopposed election, Michael Mwashindange was elected chairperson of the Young Parliamentarians Caucus, with Esther Haikola as vice chairperson. Utaara Mootu was elected secretary, while Inna Hengari was appointed treasurer. Additional members include John-Louw Mouton, Winnie Moongo and Tuhafeni Kalola.
The two-day workshop brought together young members of the National Assembly and National Council to define the Caucus’ purpose, mandate, membership and governance structure.
The young leaders also deliberated on the Caucus’s draft Constitution and began work on its strategic plan, which will set out goals, key activities, and timelines.
The new Caucus gives young parliamentarians a platform to work together and amplify young Namibians’ voices in Parliament.
Speaking shortly after the workshop, Mwashindange said forming the first Young Parliamentarians Caucus is a historic moment for young people and the country and emphasised the importance of discussions centred on young people in the National Assembly, noting that such conversations are essential to address the uncertainties they
face as they navigate life’s challenges.
He added that, for the first time in Namibia’s 36-year history, Parliament has established a caucus dedicated to championing the aspirations, priorities, and interests of the country’s young people.
“This is a profound moment for me, and I do not take this office lightly. I assume this responsibility at a time when young people face significant economic challenges, uncertainty in their education, and limited employment opportunities,” he said after being elected as leader of the caucus.
He emphasised the role’s political significance and leadership responsibility, adding that he intends to use it to highlight the challenges facing young people. Mwashindange added that, along with 25 other elected leaders, he hopes to unite Namibia’s youth for the first time, regardless of political affiliation.
Adding weight to the caucus’s significance, John-Louw Mouton said the Parliamentary Youth Caucus is essential to ensuring young people’s needs are represented, emphasising that its role must go beyond identifying challenges to developing practical solutions informed by their perspectives and experiences.
“We are the only ones who can truly find the solutions to the problems we face, and that’s why our voices are so important. In 20 years, we’ll run this country, and that’s why it’s important that, at this stage, we can say we have solutions for Namibia’s young people. Not just limited to the perspectives of the older people who don’t necessarily know what we go through, but also have our unique technological perspective on life,” he stated.
Member of Parliament Christine Haindaka highlighted that about 70% of the country is youth and that having a youth caucus in the National Assembly, where different political parties have spaces for leadership, is crucial, as one cannot discuss the youth without involving them.
“Us having a space where young MPs can come together, look at the various policies to establish whether they are advancing
the youth agenda is very important. For instance, when you look at the education policy, does it speak to the young Namibian? If you look at the policy in the health sector, where do we fit as young people; do we have youth corners at some of the clinics in the republic?” she pondered.
Haindaka said the time is now, as Namibian youth are mature enough to influence policy and serve young people’s best interests.
At the same time, lawmaker and educator Job Amupunda said that while he has about two decades left before he becomes a pensioner, they must unconditionally support young parliamentarians.
“Youth representation has always been a problem in Namibia, so the idea of forging a common purpose, whether it’s young, women, or persons with disabilities, is important. The history we are hearing is the ability and tenacity to have leaders among leaders who can bring people together, and that is the fundamental problem we are having in our parliament,” said Amupanda.
He referenced the recent hearing on the youth fund, saying no one can explain what is happening to the youth fund because there is no coordination and no organisation.
“We want to support the young people from a leadership perspective and that we can adopt a common framework and youth in parliament and forge a united agenda and orientation going forward so that parliament can be better,” he said.
Youth leadership… Some members of the Namibian Youth Parliamentarians Caucus during a two day workshop in Windhoek recently.
–psiririka@nepc.com.na
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