Also known as: NYC · National Youth Council (NYC) of Namibia · NYCN
Statutory body mandated to coordinate youth development in Namibia, recently facing leadership instability and scrutiny over assembly conduct.
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The Namibian
National Youth Council of Namibia experienced chaotic general assembly with physical confrontations, injuries, teargas, damaged property, voter roll disputes
“Reports of physical confrontations, injuries, the use of teargas, damaged property, and disputes about the voters' roll paint a worrying picture of an institution under immense strain.”
A Zombie Council? Is the NYC Facing a Functional Death?The Namibian
National Youth Council was established to promote youth development, advocate for youth interests, coordinate youth programmes, serve as bridge between government and youth
“The youth council was established to promote youth development, advocate for young people's interests, coordinate youth programmes, and serve as a bridge between the government and the youth of Namibia.”
A Zombie Council? Is the NYC Facing a Functional Death?Windhoek Observer
National Youth Council of Namibia is described as the only statutory body mandated by Act to coordinate youth development
“the chairperson of ORYF, Kenaumue Jacob Hikuama, reminding the public and other entities that "the National Youth Council of Namibia (NYC) [is] the only statutory body mandated by an Act of Parliament to coordinate youth development in the country".”
Nuwehoop – a development or a matter of dicing with it to feather your own nests?The Namibian
National Youth Council of Namibia held its 3rd General Assembly in Swakopmund, Erongo Region on 19 June 2026
“Swakopmund, Erongo Region. 19 June 2026. Keynote Address by Her Excellency Lucia Witbooi, Vice President of the Republic of Namibia, at the Official Opening of the 3rd General Assembly of the National Youth Council of Namibia (NYCN).”
Vice President Lucia Witbooi Opens National Youth Council General AssemblyInformanté
National Youth Council of Namibia is a platform responsible for coordinating youth organisations, promoting youth development and representing interests of Namibians aged 16-35
“The Vice President highlighted the importance of the National Youth Council, established under the National Youth Council Act, as a platform responsible for coordinating youth organisations, promoting youth development and representing the interests of Namibians aged between 16 and 35.”
Witbooi urges youth to seize opportunities as NYC elects new leadershipThe Namibian
National Youth Council of Namibia held general assembly to elect new leadership
“The gathering brings together youth representatives from across the country to elect a new leadership for the statutory body.”
Youth urged to back NYCN election winnersThe Namibian
The assembly is expected to elect leaders who will guide the council until 2030
“The assembly is expected to elect leaders who will guide the council until 2030.”
Youth urged to back NYCN election winnersInformanté
National Youth Council of Namibia allocated N$25,000 to each constituency's Youth Development Fund
“Eight young people from the constituency are attending the training course, designed to equip them with practical skills in nail technology, enabling them to start their own small-scale businesses and benefit from the N$25,000 allocated to each constituency's Youth Development Fund by the National Youth Council of Namibia.”
Practical skills key to youth empowerment, says ItamaloNew Era
National Youth Council of Namibia operates the National Youth Credit Scheme providing start-up capital
“He said the centre also trains young people in entrepreneurial skills and provides start-up capital under the National Youth Council of Namibia's National Youth Credit Scheme.”
Staff shortage cripples youth centreThe Namibian
National Youth Council of Namibia rejected claims published by Windhoek Observer regarding Gqwede's resignation
“The National Youth Council of Namibia (NYC) has rejected claims published by Windhoek Observer regarding the resignation of former acting director Mzingisi Gqwede, describing them as false and misleading.”
NYC rejects claims about former acting director’s resignationThe National Youth Council of Namibia faced unruly scenes during its general assembly in Swakopmund in June, including physical confrontations, injuries, teargas use, and property damage. The incident has prompted questions about whether the council is fulfilling its mandate to promote youth development and serve as a bridge between government and young Namibians.
8 September 2026 · The Namibian →
The National Youth Council of Namibia faced unruly scenes during its general assembly in Swakopmund in June, including physical confrontations, injuries, teargas use, and property damage. The incident has prompted questions about whether the council is fulfilling its mandate to promote youth development and serve as a bridge between government and young Namibians.
8 September 2026 · The Namibian →
The governor of Omaheke asserts that management of Farm Nuwehoop is driven by his office as a project under his authority, while the Omaheke Regional Youth Forum contends that the National Youth Council of Namibia is the statutory body mandated to coordinate youth development. The Swakopmund Uranium Foundation has pledged about six million for the project.
28 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Vice President Lucia Witbooi delivered the keynote address at the official opening of the 3rd General Assembly of the National Youth Council of Namibia in Swakopmund on 19 June 2026.
22 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Vice President Lucia Witbooi addressed the National Youth Council General Assembly in Swakopmund, urging Namibian youth to take advantage of government programmes for skills development, entrepreneurship and job creation, and calling on delegates to uphold unity and democracy during leadership elections.
20 June 2026 · Informanté →
Vice President Lucia Witbooi has urged delegates at the National Youth Council of Namibia's general assembly to accept the outcome of elections that will determine the organisation's leadership for the next four years and to support those elected once results are announced.
19 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Oshana Regional Youth Forum is running a three-day nail technology training course in Okaku village, with eight young people from the constituency receiving practical skills and start-up kits to launch small-scale nail care businesses. The training is funded through the National Youth Council's Youth Development Fund, which allocates N$25,000 to each constituency.
13 March 2026 · Informanté →
The Mariental Youth Resource Centre operates at reduced capacity with only two staff members instead of the required seven, while its converted house premises lacks youth-friendly infrastructure. The centre is pursuing a five-year plan to construct a new multipurpose facility and has revived programmes in agricultural cooperatives, entrepreneurship training, and environmental education despite staffing constraints.
11 March 2026 · New Era →
The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture's youth development allocation has increased by N$70.6 million to N$750 million for the 2025/26 financial year. The National Youth Council of Namibia welcomes the boost but emphasises that funds must be targeted at employment pathways, entrepreneurship, and skills development to make a meaningful impact.
11 March 2026 · New Era →
The National Youth Council of Namibia has rejected allegations published by the Windhoek Observer regarding the resignation of former acting director Mzingisi Gqwede, saying the report contains inaccurate information and misrepresents internal matters. The council denied claims that its executive chairperson made belittling statements, disputed allegations over sitting fees, and dismissed reports of excessive travel expenditure.
6 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The National Youth Council of Namibia hosted a youth dialogue in Eenhana where Deputy Minister Ballotti encouraged young people to turn creativity into sustainable businesses, addressing unemployment through skills development, networking and mentorship in the creative sector.
25 February 2026 · New Era →
The National Youth Council's repeated leadership resignations and turnover prevent it from serving its core mandate to represent young Namibians. The author argues that institutional stability, tolerance of diversity, and prioritizing mandate over ego are essential to break the cycle of instability and deliver on programmes for youth.
21 January 2026 · The Namibian →