Struggle kids set their sight on Parliament Gardens
A group of “struggle kids” camped in Zoo Park since Sunday, demanding to know why they have to undergo civic training if they are still not sure if they will be employed. They are unhappy about just receiving training instead of getting employment from government.The training offered by the National Youth Services aims to improve discipline among trainees, inculcate a sense of patriotism and develop physical and mental endurance, as well as exemplary moral and ethical character and integrity.
After the first two months of focus on civic training, four months of vocational training would follow, but according to the group’s leader, Tuhafeni Ghinda, the civic training “does not make sense”.
He claims that most of the group are older than 25, hence too old to be considered for employment by both NamPol and the defence force, resulting in some of the struggle kids abandoning the training. A NamPol spokesman however denied that, saying that age limits differ, depending on the category of recruits being taken in for a year.
In a third petition to the secretary to cabinet, George Simataa, they again demand answers on their previous requests for employment.
While waiting for Simataa’s response, they want to camp at the Swapo headquarters in Katutura, claiming there is no food at the Ndilimani farm at Brakwater. “We have decided to remain in Windhoek to beg for food from the public,” Ghinda said, revealing that they plan to occupy Parliament Gardens next week if they haven’t received a response by then.
* The parliament gardens are currently closed for the public. Read more about that in the article by Limba Mupetami.