In his maiden speech, Swapo Party MP Willem Amutenya expressed his commitment to laws and policies that promote the socioeconomic and political inclusion of Namibia’s youth.

Amutenya advocated for fair access to natural resource opportunities for young people through avenues such as entrepreneurship, global trade, education, and skills development. He cited the recent inauguration of the Hylron Oshivela Plant as a positive example of national resource beneficiation.

He emphasized the government’s goal to reduce youth unemployment by 2030, pointing to the education budget and youth-focused investments, including the N$1.2 billion allocated to sports, youth, and national services.

However, he highlighted the challenges faced by TVET graduates and called on banks to establish innovation funds, while urging local authorities to support business incubators.

Amutenya expressed concern about the ongoing impact of Covid-19 on the economy, particularly regarding youth employment and entrepreneurship. He criticized the presence of foreign enterprises in rural areas and advocated for laws that protect local traders.

He warned against the increasing number of foreign experts in the job market and called for stronger regulations to safeguard the local economy and informal sector. Additionally, he proposed reforms to the Local Authority Act, including extended trading hours for vendors.

Amutenya also suggested formalizing sports as a professional career path and cautioned that the current youth unemployment rate of 44.4% contributes to crime and mental health issues.

He urged MPs to prioritize laws that inspire hope and set aside political differences.