With the high rate of unemployment among youth, many young people wallow without hope for their future.

To inject those finding themselves in this situation with a sense of enthusiasm, this year's Copper Festival started off with a youth conference, educating young people on the economic opportunities open to them.

It was a jam-packed event attended by young people from around Tsumeb and others who travelled from other towns.

The mayor, Mathews Hangula, encouraged the youth to start off small, suggesting backyard gardens as prime platforms for gaining knowledge and management skills, if not financial gains.

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers. There's much to be learned from the faith of the child."

The Economic Development Officer at Tsumeb Municipality, Kaija Shililfa, shared opportunities available in the local authority that can help the youth grow, such as the need for goods and services in the town council.

She however added that with Tsumeb also being the gateway to Etosha, the youth can also look at crafting something with their own hands to sell to tourists, while also keeping in mind that Tsumeb is an agricultural hub.

Financing should not be a stumbling block for the youth, whether it's for studies or to start a business, as companies such as Dundee, Social Security, Standard Bank, and Agri Bank are there to assist, she encouraged.

Knowing that unemployment leads to depression, the copper festival organizers also invited a psychologist to talk to them about mental health.

A business conference is also lined up before the official opening of this year's Copper Festival, which is being hosted under the theme 'Wiring Namibia Towards Industrial Innovation'.