Some youth in Tsumkwe have raised concerns about what they describe as unfair tender awards in the constituency, particularly the construction of toilets in local villages. 

The youth allege that business people and government employees are monopolizing tenders without consulting or involving local young people.

Youth Officer Jeffrey Gomis expressed disappointment over the exclusion of young people from the toilet construction tender. 

He stated that such tenders should be communicated through his office to ensure youth participation. 

According to him, the tender was awarded to three individuals, excluding the youth, and the project is already underway.

Speaking to nbc News, Paulus Ndara a young person residing in the area, highlighted the ongoing challenges with youth inclusion

"This is the problem that we always have to say whenever such important information is coming or whenever such tenders are coming: they are supposed to benefit the youth. The youth are not always being considered. They have not always been confronted to say this is what we have as a constituency. What can we do as youth? Or are there youth with this qualification and skills to do this job? They don't do it."

Ndara also said that the constituency office is failing to share information about opportunities, adding that the lack of opportunities is contributing to social ills such as alcohol abuse among youth.

"We are fighting over how to develop the area. We are fighting over how to empower the youth. In which way are our leaders trying to empower us as youth? Coming to our youth, they are too much into alcohol abuse. Why? Because of this depression that we are facing, whereby opportunities are coming into our area but yet we are denied those opportunities."

Another young person, Veronica Muhomeki, also expressed her frustration with local leaders

"As a youth of the Tsumkwe constituency, I'm very much disappointed in my leaders because they are being greedy. A tender that they could have given to the youth of Tsumkwe to improve the lives of the youth of Tsumkwe. It's very disappointing and heartbreaking. We have a lot of young people that can build, people that are just on the streets. It's not always about alcohol. There are people that don't drink alcohol that need that tender. So, you people want to tell me, from Rooidak Gate to Gam, we don't have capable youth?"

She also suggests informing the community through a meeting and communicating the tender plan.

Tsumkwe Youth Chairperson Given Gcao also shared his concerns:

"I feel bad for the youth of the Tsumkwe constituency since you said business people were given the project. What about the youth who do not have work but have grades and the ability to handle that type of project? So, it's really a bad thing to regard a youth of the Tsumkwe constituency less."

In response, Tsumkwe Constituency Councilor Johannes Hausiku stated that the process of awarding tenders has changed. 

"If you don't apply, you don't just get something. You apply, they go through it, and they select the person who is qualified. But if you did not do anything, which tender do you expect to get? And when people are applying, they don't see if this person is working for the government or a businessperson. They look at the documents that the person has submitted."

He added that there is a Tsumkwe youth WhatsApp group where he regularly shares vacancies and tender information, but the youth mostly do not apply.

The tender was awarded by the Rural Water Supply Office in consultation with the Tsumkwe Constituency Office.