Zurretta Maveoro
ZAMBEZI REGION – Young people across the Zambezi Region say they are struggling to find employment despite completing their studies at various institutions of higher learning and vocational training.
They also questioned how free education helps when it does not lead to employment, pointing to the number of unemployed graduates in the region.
At various meetings with the Vice chairperson of the National Council, Hon. Victoria Kauma-Mbawo, the youth in Zambezi raised concerns about the lack of job opportunities in their region, limited access to funding, and lack of access to various government sponsored youth empowerment initiatives.In Singalamwe, a village in the Kongola Constituency, young people said they feel neglected by the government as they never received assistance to uplift themselves since independence.
Some called on the government to establish a VTC in their constituency or nearby areas to enable them to upskill themselves to become employable.Community members also said they feel overlooked in national development plans and called for the government to introduce agricultural projects to help keep young people productive.The Singalamwe community meeting was part of the Vice Chairperson’s outreach campaign to the Zambezi and Kavango regions aimed at educating members of the public about the work and role of the National Council in the lawmaking process and encouraging active youth participation in national development.
The outreach covered constituencies including Kabbe-North, Kongola, Linyanti, Subkhuta, Singalamwe, and Judea Lyaboloma.In Malindi village, Kabbe-North Constituency, residents recalled a youth chicken farming project that failed after all chickens died due to lack of training for those entrusted with maintaining it.
They claimed that after the chicken project closed, young people have now resorted to alcohol abuse to keep busy as they are chronically unemployed.They also complained about unmet promises of a N$600 unemployment grant from the government.Some suggested that receiving direct financial support instead of food handouts would enable them to start small businesses. They also criticised the quality and quantity of drought relief food, saying it was not consistent with what other regions receive.The issue of youth-targeted support was mentioned repeatedly. Many said that loans from Agribank are not accessible to them due to strict requirements, and government programmes often do not take rural conditions into account
At Judea Lyaboloma, residents said they have not benefited from the tourism activities in nearby national parks.
Although the constituency hosts two national parks—Nkasa and Mdudumu—that generate significant tourism revenue, community members said they have not benefited from this economic activity.The residents also raised concerns about the lack of access to clean drinking water and electricity in the constituency and called on the government to drill a borehole to address the problem.
Although a borehole exists, residents said it was drilled before independence and has since been declared unsafe for human consumption.
The community also questioned the government’s approach to gender equality, stating that efforts to promote the girl child should be balanced to include the needs of boys.According to them, onesided empowerment campaigns have caused tension at household level in their area.
They suggested that gender programmes should reflect broader social realities rather than focus exclusively on representation.
Concerns about the visibility and accountability of local leaders were also raised in several constituencies.In Linyanti, residents said they rarely see their councillors and receive little to no feedback on development plans.Some recommended that public outreach meetings be broadcast live to improve transparency and ensure elected officials are held accountable.
Hon. Kauma explained the mandate of the National Council and encouraged residents to continue participating in public engagement activities.
She said the Council’s role is to raise community concerns and ensure they are presented to the relevant government bodies.
Former National Council member Hon. Walubita Mukelabayi, who attended the meeting in Singalamwe, said the outreach was important and long overdue.
He said such engagement rarely happened during his time and should be continued.
