Justicia Shipena
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has urged young people to care for the elderly and stand with the vulnerable, emphasising that the youth continue to be the nation’s lifeblood and vitality.
In her New Year message on Thursday, Nandi-Ndaitwah urged young Namibians to be protectors of those who cannot always protect themselves and to look out for one another in 2026.
She called on the nation to renew its commitment to guarding society against social ills that threaten progress.
She said efforts toward women’s emancipation must address all forms of abuse and discrimination.
Nandi-Ndaitwah urged citizens to reject gender-based violence, discrimination, tribalism, regionalism, substance abuse and other behaviours that divide communities.
She addressed learners and students preparing for a new academic year, including those entering universities and receiving vocational training for the first time, emphasising that excitement and fear often coexist.
She encouraged them to walk boldly into their future with purpose and said their dreams form part of Namibia’s bright future.
Nandi-Ndaitwah also expressed concern about the rising number of suicides in the country, describing it as a serious challenge affecting many families.
She said the fight against suicide requires national, collective effort and stressed that seeking help should never be considered a weakness but as an act of courage.
She urged Namibians to listen to one another and to support those facing emotional pain, reminding them that their lives matter.
She delivered the New Year’s speech under the theme ‘Unity in diversity, natural resource benefication for sustainable development and youth empowerment’.
She said when diversity comes together with one heart and one mind, unity becomes the country’s strength.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said 2026 should be marked by compassion, responsible celebrations, safer roads, peaceful gatherings, and a renewed commitment to protecting every life.
She called on Namibians to recommit themselves to hard work, determination, and integrity to ensure quality service delivery. She said she remains confident in the enduring spirit of the Namibian people and expressed hope that 2026 would be a year of shared prosperity and extraordinary achievements.
Meanwhile, Independent Patriots for Change’s (IPC) leader, Panduleni Itula, called on Namibians to use 2026 as a year of reflection, unity and collective action aimed at rebuilding the country and securing a better future for all citizens.
Itula urged citizens to undertake an in-depth review of the country’s challenges, not as a return to the past, but as a step towards preparing for a stronger and more inclusive future.
He said building Namibia into an African success story is a shared responsibility that requires the participation of every citizen.
“We, together, as a people of a multitude of diversities, united by our common endeavours, have stepped into the new year determined to focus our energies and collective efforts on building a better nation for all our citizens,” Itula said.
He said 2026 should be dedicated to listening, mutual support and collaboration, with a focus on improving the well-being of children, youth, pensioners, workers and future generations.
“It is essential to prioritise hope in our despair, compassion in our actions, upholding integrity in our leadership, and establishing service as the cornerstone of our national existence,” he said.
Itula called for respect, dignity and responsible use of rights and freedoms, urging citizens to reject ridicule, malice and division in national discourse.
“The true power of Namibia, the true power of a nation, is rooted in its populace,” he said, adding that unity, peace and collective action can help the country overcome its challenges.
He appealed for dialogue among nations and said geopolitical tensions and wars undermine humanity. He said wealth and military power should not define supremacy and called for global cooperation to protect the planet.
He said Namibia needs to rise from what he described as the ashes of corruption and misery through leadership grounded in strong moral and ethical values.
