Namibia's port of Walvis Bay is a town experiencing rapid population growth from individuals in search of greener pastures.

However, the hopes of many to find employment here are, more often than not, dashed.

Vendors come from all corners of the country to sell their arts and crafts to passersby at the southern gate of the Namibian Ports Authority.

This is their surest means to sustain their livelihoods, they say.

It costs to endure all manner of weather, from the scorching sun to the cold breeze from the Atlantic Ocean.

The Landless People's Movement's (LPM) Chief Change Campaigner is calling upon the Namibian government, parastatals, and companies, particularly in the mining sector, to allocate at least a quarter of their job placements to local residents.

Bernadus Swartbooi was speaking at a media conference in Tsumeb.

Swartbooi says the LPM is ready and willing to engage leaders of the mines in and around Tsumeb towards ensuring that residents of the town benefit first when job opportunities arise.

The Mines and Energy Minister, Tom Alweendo, says the recent oil and gas discoveries in commercial quantities have raised expectations for significant revenue flow and employment opportunities for Namibians.

Alweendo says that the discoveries hold great potential to improve socio-economic challenges that are experienced in the country, but points out that the development of an oil sector is inherently associated with uncertainties and complexities.

The Trade Union Congress of Namibia (TUCNA) has also called on MTC Namibia to give permanent employment to those who have been working on contract for years at the call centres.

The union says it has received several complaints from MTC's contract workers at the call centre.

Some employees have allegedly been on contract for more than five years.

This, TUCNA president Mahongora Kavihuha says, contravenes the provisions of the Labour Act.

Economic empowerment is crucial for women's advancement.

Therefore, the Secretary General of the UDF Women Council, Dankie Mukuta, urged women to create an enabling environment to thrive in the workforce by promoting equal pay, providing access to credit and resources, and supporting women entrepreneurs.

By doing so, Mukuta says, they not only uplift individual women but also contribute to the economic growth and prosperity of the nation.

The Director General of the National Planning Commission, Obeth Kandjoze, says the town of Ludertiz will become a major potential employment creator once the green hydrogen project becomes operational.

Kandjoze was speaking at the launch of the NDP6 formulation process in Windhoek.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), Nangula Uaandja has urged young people to take advantage of the business opportunities available in various sectors. 

Uaandja says the country has a lot to offer in terms of agriculture, mining and energy, oil and gas. 

Uaandja interacted with young entrepreneurs and professionals at an event titled "Oxungi." 

Today is International Workers Day, a day that recognises the contributions of workers in society and commemorates the historic struggles and gains made by the labour movement worldwide.

President Hage Geingob says Namibia values the role of workers in the fight for liberty, unity, and justice and that the government remains conscious of the unemployment that disproportionately affects the youth and the unskilled.

In a statement to mark International Workers Day, President Geingob praised the workers as a precious resource in the history and development of Namibia.

Namibians, particularly the youth have been embracing activism through public protests, against issues such as Gender-Based Violence.

Affected families and community members would protest at courts demanding that perpetrators not be granted bail.

But some activists have now shifted their protests towards employment-related matters including calls for equality, and social change.  
The action of using vigorous campaigning or causing disruptions is to bring about political or social change, at the national or community level.

Mashare Berries Farm in the Kavango East Region is expected to create more employment, following the expansion of its production with 40 more hectares.

For the past four years, the farm has been operating on 20 hectares piece of land.

The farm Project Manager Izak Grobbelaar says the farm expanded due to the demand for blueberries on the international market.

"We expanded from 20 hectares up to 60 hectares, so yes we are seeing positive trends on the farm, we are still in the process of trying to expand up to 200 hectares."