Some young people have heeded the call for self-employment and ensuring food security, but these efforts are either challenged by a lack of start-up capital or threatened by nature.

An unemployed youth in Tsumkwe's Grashoek area, Willem Goeb had his hopes of becoming a farmer dashed as his cropfield was destroyed by a swarm of insects.

Goeb said it was already not easy for him to get the seeds, and his efforts now are going down the drain because of pests.

He added that it was not only him facing this challenge but all other people in Grashoek.

Goeb further stated that the government always asks for people to meet it halfway, but now he needs the government to meet him halfway by availing pesticides.

He said that this crop field is not for income; he just planted it for them to eat since they were not sure that they would receive enough rainfall like in past years.