Windhoek: Newly elected Ovambanderu Youth League (OYL) president, Jazema Hangero, has outlined his top priorities, which include restructuring youth branches across the country and in the diaspora. According to Namibia Press Agency, the 32-year-old teacher told Nampa in an interview he wants to encourage active youth participation in community activities and decision-making processes.

Hangero explained that the restructuring and revival are necessary because the league is currently inactive. During his five-year term, he plans to launch programmes to connect young people with their culture, starting from primary school through to university. These programmes will focus on sharing information and providing training to help youth develop skills and become self-reliant. ‘This is vital because the Ovambanderu youth must take part, gain skills and knowledge that would help them in becoming skilled and self-reliant,’ he said.

Hangero also intends to invite other youth organisations to participate in OYL activities to promote unity. A final-year student at the University of Namibia (UNAM) studying Otjiherero and Fine Art, Hangero is a well-known youth leader who serves on the UNAM student parliament and as president of the university’s Otjiuana Cultural Society.

Other youth leaders elected at the OYL congress are Kazengire Uanivi as vice president, Himeezembi Tjozongoro as secretary, Monica Mbaeva as vice secretary, and TK Tjirongo, who will handle the financial affairs. Ukarapo Tjozongoro is the secretary for information, publicity, and external affairs, while Tunaune Tjiumbua is secretary for mobilisation and Kelly Kaare Ndjoze, secretary for projects and development position. Mbirii Kandjou is in charge of health, social services, and culture, while Vekura Tjikuzu was voted as secretary for education and vocational training, and Kaundjua Hange is the OYL’s pioneer secretary.