Justicia Shipena and Patience Makwele
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah still sings the song of jobs, promising opportunities even as pressure mounts over unemployment.
During her second state of the nation address (SONA) on Wednesday, she said a total of 24 195 jobs are expected to be created once major investment projects currently underway reach full operation.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said 13 operational investment projects valued at N$4.3 billion have already created 1 503 jobs, while 15 additional projects worth N$63.5 billion are in progress, with 1 934 jobs created so far.
The projected job creation forms part of the sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), which guides Namibia towards Vision 2030.
The plan focuses on economic growth, human development, environmental sustainability and effective governance.
The government allocated N$106.3 billion to implement NDP6 during the 2025/2026 financial year, including N$12.8 billion for development spending, supported in part by development partners.
During her presidential campaign, Nandi-Ndaitwah promised to create more than 500 000 employment opportunities over five years.
Unemployment, especially among young people, was raised as a key concern during the session in the National Assembly.
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani said youth unemployment, estimated between 47% and 50%, continues to threaten social and economic stability.
“If there is something that gives me sleepless nights in this country, it is youth unemployment,” Venaani said.
He called for a stronger focus on agriculture and rural economic development to create jobs at scale.
Responding, Nandi-Ndaitwah said job creation cannot be driven by the government alone and must come through economic growth.
“When we say we are creating 500 000 jobs, not all of these jobs are going to be created by the government. The skills come first…I cannot say I will not train you because I cannot give jobs,” expressed Nandi-Ndaitwah.
She said value addition policies under development are expected to help create jobs.
Nandi-Ndaitwah also addressed corruption, warning against relying only on increased public spending to fight it.
She said a change in mindset is needed.
“You can put all your budget in the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), but if people are not changing, that will be a problem. We need a serious psychological reform in Namibia,” she said.
“Corruption must be treated as treason because it undermines our development and the future of our country.”
Independent Patriots for Change leader in parliament Immmauel Nashinge questioned whether the government is doing enough to support anti-corruption institutions.
He said without enough funding and independence, these bodies risk being ineffective.
He also questioned whether the government’s approach is policy-driven or political.
In response, Nandi-Ndaitwah said funding alone will not solve the problem.
“We should not really hold the view that the more money we put, the more we are going to fight corruption,” she said.
She said the government is making progress in stabilising the economy, with growth expected to increase from 1.7% in 2025 to 3.1% in 2026.
She pointed to the repayment of the N$14.3 billion eurobond and foreign reserves of N$51.9 billion as signs of stability.
However, she said growth remains low and is not enough to reduce unemployment. Namibia still depends heavily on mining and other primary industries.
“The government faces fiscal pressures and competing budget priorities, requiring careful resource allocation to balance immediate needs with long-term development goals,” she said.
On education, Nandi-Ndaitwah defended the rollout of fully subsidised tertiary funding, backed by a N$663 million allocation. Concerns were raised about whether institutions can handle more students.
She said the government must expand access.
“When we were putting up our institutions of high learning, it was like we were planning for failures. We cannot prevent people from proceeding because there is no space. We have to create that space.”
She said the government is working with institutions to increase capacity and may use temporary measures.
“At one point I said, Let us put them in tents so that we can build the infrastructure,” she said.
In the health sector, she outlined reforms to improve public healthcare.
Seven hospitals have been upgraded as pilot sites, and more health workers have been recruited.
She also highlighted work in sports development, youth empowerment and public sector reform. She said implementation remains a challenge.
“Limited capacity and resource constraints continue to affect the pace of implementation of key programmes,” she said.
With Vision 2030 approaching, she said the government must focus on delivering results.
Boycott Sona
Meanwhile, the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) boycotted the Sona. LPM called Sona a ceremonial exercise that hides poor performance.
On previous Sona occasions, LPM leaders were thrown out of the chamber after flinging documents in the direction of the then president Hage Geingob.
LPM’s spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa said all party members of parliament chose not to attend.
“The Landless People’s Movement is confirming that all its members of parliament have taken a firm and deliberate decision not to attend the state of the nation address,” Simataa said on Wednesday evening.
He said the party refused to take part in what it sees as a platform that repeats promises without results.
“The party will not be part and parcel of a purely ceremonious activity that attempts to hide a poor governmental performance, using recycled tactics of governance that we have grown tired of,” he said.
Simataa accused the administration of rebranding failed promises instead of addressing challenges.
“The current administration continues to reuse jargon, recycle and re-express promises with new taglines. The administration fails to provide clear direction, credible leadership or meaningful solutions,” he said.
He said Sona has become political theatre where promises do not match people’s daily lives.
“Year after year this platform has been reduced to political theatre, promises that never reach the lived reality,” Simataa said.
He pointed to unmet housing targets and job creation promises as examples of poor performance.
“A clear example would be the president promising 50 000 houses in five years, yet even the revised targets were not met,” he said.
Simataa also raised concerns about governance, including the handling of genocide negotiations with Germany.
“This ranges from the mishandling of engagements with Germany on the genocide question. All these matters remain fundamentally unchanged,” he said.
He said there are growing concerns about electoral integrity, institutional independence and concentration of economic power.
He said the boycott was a clear political position.
“Our absence is not symbolic or accidental; it is a clear political statement. We will not endorse failure. We will not be complicit in the decline of our country,” Simataa said.
