Youth, Sports and National Services Minister Agnes Tjongarero implored on all Offices, Ministries and Agencies, as well as State-Owned Enterprises and others to avail sites for voluntary services for the National Youth Service (NYS) trainees.

This support, according to the minister, will strengthen the overall impact of the ongoing six-month National Youth Training programme taking place at the Henties Bay centre, after which trainees will be deployed on various projects of national importance as part of the NYS mandate of instilling civic virtues among Namibian youth.

Tjongarero was speaking at the official opening of the 14th intake of the new recruits by the NYS at Henties Bay on Friday, where 310 trainees are currently receiving training.

The intake comes after a directive by the minister to return training activities at the Henties Bay centre from Rietfontein, following a five-year hiatus at the Henties Bay centre, to ensure full utilization of the centre as well as provide the much-needed training to the Namibian youth.

“In further augmenting its sustainability efforts, the NYS will soon conclude a Memorandum of Agreement with the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) which will see a possible relocation of the NUST Agricultural Science programme to the Rietfontein Training Centre.

Equally, the Welwitschia Health Centre has engaged NYS on the possibility of utilising the Rietfontein Training Centre to offer some of its training programmes,” she added.

She commended the NYS for the willingness to co-exist with other institutions, for the benefit of the youth, saying the move will also ensure that the Rietfontein Training Centre, which has a capacity to accommodate 2,500 youth is fully utilised for its purpose.

Erongo Governor Neville Andre Itope emphasised the importance for policy makers and stakeholders in youth development, to focus on how well they can coordinate efforts to create and connect services, opportunities, and support for the youth to reach their full potential and contribute towards nation building.

“The revival of training activities at the Henties Bay Centre signifies the beginning of a long-term strategic partnership, as we embark on these new beginnings together.

This, will not only stimulate local development but will uplift the region in terms of sports and culture,” Itope noted.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency