||Kharas Governor Aletha Frederick has praised the youth of Bethanie Village for constantly striving towards achieving economic independence.

Addressing guests at a fundraising dinner, Frederick said it was pleasing to see that young people realised they needed to do more to provide solutions to their daily life challenges.

The dinner was organised by the Begin to Imagine youth group to raise funds for their planned Youth Talent Expo at the tiny settlement next month.

The planned expo, says the governor, has the potential to ignite hidden entrepreneurial talent in youth to address unemployment, poverty, and hunger.

"Youth unemployment in Namibia remains stubbornly high, and this situation is compelling unemployed youth, in particular, those not in school, to venture into self-employment in the informal sector. And as we all know, the disconnect that exists between training needs and employment opportunities has unfortunately increased youth unemployment in Namibia."

The governor also reminded them that the government remains committed to youth empowerment.

Moreover, she encourages young people, especially those living in peri-urban and rural areas, to venture into the agro-food economy to curb unemployment.

"This will significantly reduce imports of agricultural food products from neighbouring South Africa and create more jobs for young people."

A retired teacher, John Henry Meintjies, who ventured into farming and the tourism business, also had words of motivation for the Bethanie youth group.

"Young people, wait for your time. It will come. Let's groom you. Let's hold your shoulders high. Let's carry you because we have the experience." 

The fundraising dinner raised N$20,000, of which the ||Kharas Governor's Office pledged N$5,000.