McHenry Venaani, President of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), has called on young Namibians to vote for his party, emphasizing the power they hold in shaping the country's future.
Speaking at a rally in Outapi, Venaani expressed his satisfaction with the large turnout of youth and urged them to take action.
Addressing the 71% of eligible voters in the region, Venaani said,
"Young people from Elim, Oshikuku, Tsandi, Nakayale, Etilyasa, Iitananga, Ruacana, Oshifo—everywhere in Omusati, you are the majority. You cannot be the majority and remain jobless. Vote for leaders who will create jobs. You shouldn’t be told you need ten years of experience for entry-level positions."
Venaani highlighted PDM's commitment to addressing social challenges, noting that the party has consistently fought for the well-being of Namibians.
He shared his vision for a Namibia where every citizen feels a sense of belonging and trusts their government to work for them.
A key focus of PDM’s manifesto is the agriculture sector. Venaani pledged to allocate 10% of the country's GDP to improve food security. "If you want to create jobs, you need to invest in where people live. Bring agriculture, water, and build dams in villages.
For example, grow tomatoes and create factories so young people in places like Nakayale can find work."
Venaani also promised to tackle youth unemployment, aiming to reduce it to 11% by 2029 through PDM's "one factory, one constituency" initiative.
This plan involves establishing factories based on the unique strengths of each region, positioning Namibia as a manufacturing hub for Southern Africa.
On healthcare, Venaani vowed to improve access by ensuring primary healthcare facilities are within a five-kilometre radius of underserved communities.
He criticized the current state of health services, saying, "We shouldn’t have to travel abroad for proper medical care. People in Outapi, for example, shouldn’t only have paracetamol or Panado when they seek treatment for a stomachache."
Venaani's rally speech resonated with the youth, reinforcing his message that their vote could bring about the change they desire.