By Kajiuru Jujuu Mbaha
There is a common belief that young people today are lazy, impatient and unwilling to work.
Whenever young people complain about unemployment or the difficulty of finding opportunities, some are quick to tell us to “work harder” or “start somewhere.”
But what is often forgotten is that many young people are already trying.
They are studying, applying for jobs, sending CVs, attending interviews and looking for ways to build a better future.
The problem is not always a lack of willingness to work. Sometimes, the problem is a lack of opportunity.
As a young person, one of the most frustrating experiences is being told that education is the key to success, only to discover how difficult it can be to enter the working world after completing your studies.
Many employers ask for experience, but how is a young graduate supposed to gain experience when every opportunity requires previous experience?
This creates a difficult cycle.
Young people need jobs to gain experience, but they need experience to get jobs.
The situation can be especially discouraging for students who have spent years working towards their qualifications.
Behind every certificate is a story of sacrifices, late nights, financial struggles, difficult assignments and moments when giving up seemed easier than continuing.
Young people deserve to know that their efforts are valued and that there is a place for them in the economy.
They also deserve guidance, mentorship and support as they make the difficult transition from education to employment.
I believe businesses, government institutions and other organisations should create more opportunities specifically for young people.
Internships, apprenticeships, graduate programmes and entry-level positions should not simply be opportunities advertised on paper.
They should be accessible pathways into employment where young people can learn, contribute and develop their skills.
Employers should also consider offering training and mentorship instead of expecting every young applicant to already have years of experience.
Schools and training institutions can also play an important role by helping students prepare for the workplace.
Career guidance, practical training, networking opportunities and partnerships with businesses could make it easier for young people to understand what employers expect.
These connections could help students gain confidence and valuable experience before they graduate.
At the same time, young people also have a responsibility.
We cannot expect opportunities to come to us without making an effort.
We must continue developing our skills, learning from our mistakes and looking for creative ways to create opportunities for ourselves.
Entrepreneurship, freelancing, volunteering and small businesses can all help young people gain valuable experience while waiting for formal employment.
Even small opportunities can teach important lessons, build networks and open doors to greater possibilities.
However, personal responsibility should not be used as an excuse to ignore the larger challenges facing our generation.
Not every young person has access to reliable internet, financial support, transportation, professional networks or the resources needed to start a business.
We must recognise these realities while encouraging young people to remain determined and hopeful.
We also need to change how we talk about young people.
Calling an entire generation “lazy” does nothing to solve unemployment.
Criticism without support can make young people feel hopeless rather than motivated.
Instead, we should ask a more important question: What can we do to give young people a genuine chance to succeed?
Young people are not only the future of Namibia; we are also part of its present.
We have ideas, skills, creativity and ambitions.
We want to contribute to our communities and our country.
We want to work.
We want to build businesses.
We want to become professionals.
We want to create lives that we can be proud of.
But ambition needs opportunity.
If Namibia wants a stronger economy and a brighter future, young people must be given a meaningful place in that future.
Creating more jobs, supporting small businesses and improving access to training would benefit not only young people but the entire country.
When young people are employed and empowered, they are better able to support their families, contribute to their communities and participate in building the nation.
We should not have to choose between giving up and leaving the country in search of opportunities elsewhere.
Instead, let us build a Namibia where a young person’s lack of experience does not automatically become a reason to reject them, but an invitation to teach them.
Give young people a chance, and many will prove just how much they are capable of achieving.
