Namibia Launches 16th National Youth Service Intake at Henties Bay

Namibia Launches 16th National Youth Service Intake at Henties Bay. In a significant step toward youth development and nation-building, Vice-President Lucia Witbooi officially launched the 16th intake of the National Youth Service (NYS) on 4 August 2025 at the NYS Training Centre in Henties Bay, Erongo Region.

The event was attended by several high-ranking officials, including the Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture, Hon. Dino Ballotti, as well as Erongo Governor Hon. Natalia !Goagoses and NYS Commissioner Dr. Felix Musukubili.

A total of 700 young recruits, evenly split between 350 males and 350 females aged 16 to 35, have officially commenced the seven-month programme. The training includes six months of national service training followed by one month of voluntary service, all conducted at the Henties Bay training facility.

The programme is designed to instill discipline, patriotism, and civic responsibility among Namibia’s youth through a blend of physical training and classroom-based learning. It also encourages personal growth and leadership development, while fostering unity among participants from diverse backgrounds.

In her opening remarks, Vice-President Witbooi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to empowering young people through structured and inclusive national service. She described the initiative as a vital tool in shaping responsible, engaged citizens who are ready to contribute meaningfully to the country’s development.

Deputy Minister Ballotti commended the recruits for stepping forward and called on them to embrace the opportunity with dedication and resilience.