Youth unemployment, tribalism, the modernisation of agriculture, and the use of state health facilities dominated discussions between President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and a delegation from the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) led by its president, McHenry Venaani, at State House.
Venaani has since described the meeting as constructive and frank.
Youth unemployment was recognised as a critical crisis, accompanied by significant challenges concerning housing and land access for young people.
Venaani advised the government to focus its energy on key crisis areas and economic stimulation, including increased investment in agriculture to boost food security and create jobs.
“We addressed the issue of housing, young people not having access to land, access to housing, a big problem, agricultural revolution, desert farming, the lack of development in the Neckartal area in the south, and the lack of under-utilisation of our perennial rivers. We addressed the question of tribalism in the country. We addressed the lack of road apartheid, where certain regions don't get enough tarred roads in the country. We addressed the petroleum issue in depth, honestly, frankly, and boldly. Of course, it was a brief session, but nothing was left undisclosed.”
On the question of government employees using state health facilities, Venaani cautioned against hasty implementation, saying the country's hospitals currently lack the capacity to support such a move.
“I addressed parliament, and I said the idea is very noble, but we are not yet here. The capacity of our hospitals at this point in time cannot warrant that. We must prepare ourselves much better. Preparation is needed,” the PDM leader added.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah is continuing consultations with all political parties on matters of national importance.
“If you recall, when I presented my first State of the Nation Address, I said I would like to meet all parties represented in the National Assembly for one-on-one consultations. I tried because I started last year, but it happens that in some instances our programs were not really talking to one another to provide this opportunity, and my thinking now is I do not want to go to the second State of the Nation Address without fulfilling that promise of ours to consult as national leaders.
The presidency explained that the emphasis on frank engagements equally reflects a growing expectation for collaborative solutions in the tackling of socio-economic challenges.