The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) says it's high time the youth take charge of the country and vote for change in the November 2024 election.

PDM President McHenry Venaani says this is the only way they will address high unemployment and create jobs.

Venaani addressed a rally at Tsumeb over the weekend.

He told the gathering that the party is ready to address the high unemployment rate among the youth, beef up the agricultural sector, and ensure the landless are offered social housing.

"If you want change, if you want change, the candidate for change is McHenry Venaani. I am the man who will bring transformational leadership to Namibia. I am the man who will walk with young people to bring about change. I am the man who will deliver housing to the people of this country. I am the man who brought agricultural mechanisation and job creation to the country."

Venaani also spoke about Tsumeb residents' having to deal with contaminated water, adding that he wants to see locals benefit equally from the town's natural resources, as well as bursaries and tenders offered there.

If voted into power, he promised to write off all pensioners' debts and ensure that they did not lose their properties in this way.

"This is a copper town. We are getting sick. Our copper is leaving the country without proper processing. We have no jobs in the copper town. Our uranium is leaving the shores without any value addition."

After the rally, the PDM leadership and members took a tour around Kuvukiland Informal Settlement, mingling with locals and acquainting themselves with the community's daily challenges.

Venaani said before the end of this year, he would have toured over 150 villages and settlements, where the party will mobilise and galvanise prospective members to register as voters ahead of the national elections.