Deputy Minister of Disability Affairs, Alexia Manombe-Ncube, says persons with disabilities must be strategic when choosing what to study as it will increase job opportunities.

Manombe Ncube was speaking at a workshop for organisations of people with disabilities on the Sustainable Development Goals.

"Just last week at the Stakeholder Validation Workshop on Disability Data Collection by GIZ, it was shocking to hear that more than 90% of the participants in the survey in Kunene were unemployed. This is exactly my point; it is not business as usual. One must really study the market and take calculated risks to ensure employment for themselves. It is important that we approach this phenomenon of unemployment with wisdom; for example, we must carefully consider our study choices because it does not help to pursue a career where you know there are almost no work opportunities."

The Deputy Minister says at the moment, there is a focus on renewable and sustainable energy, opening up a whole new world of opportunities for all Namibians, and persons with disabilities should be on the lookout.

"I am urging everyone, especially the youth with disabilities, to inform themselves about the study opportunities available in green hydrogen. In the 2022/2023 budget speech, it was specifically mentioned by the finance minister that N$86 million was availed for green hydrogen scholarships, and I am wondering how many students with disabilities informed themselves about these opportunities."

Some of the workshop participants highlighted not only the importance of disability-friendly spaces but also the need for people with disabilities to partake in engagements that directly affect them.

The two-day workshop is being attended by representatives of organisations for people with disabilities from various towns in Namibia.

They will elaborate on the implementation of SDG 8, which is about decent work; Goal 11, which deals with sustainable cities and communities; and Goal 13, which focuses on climate change.