S6 E12: Youth engagement and participation in elections in Namibia
Africa Rights TalkPlay episode
Show notes
In conversation with Rosevitha Ndumbu, Jessica Uiras and Ompha Tshamano
In anticipation of the upcoming Namibian elections set for 27th November 2024, this episode focuses on youth participation in Namibia's political and public participation including electoral processes. The speakers, Rosevitha Ndumbu and Jessica Uiras, hosted by Ompha Tshamano discussed the topic. They identified significant barriers hindering youth engagement, notably the lack of civic education and awareness of the electoral process. The conversation challenges the idea of 'youth apathy' in Namibia and advocates for improved civic education initiatives to empower young people to actively engage in the political landscape. The conversation also highlights the structural challenges that young people face, such as high unemployment, which often hinders their political participation. There is a pressing need for political leaders and parties to strengthen their connections with young constituents to ensure that their interests are adequately represented in the decision-making process. Similarly, the speakers emphasise the role of technology and social media as crucial tools for mobilising and engaging young voters. Ultimately, this conversation highlights the need for the electoral landscape to be more adept and diverse to foster democratic participation.
Rosevitha Ndumbu is a Namibian researcher, digital rights advocate, and lawyer at the Institute of Public Policy Research. Her work involves fact-checking, research on corruption, human rights, and democracy, with a focus on law and technology, socio-economic issues, data protection, and cybersecurity. Rosevitha is affiliated with the Namibia Media Trust and is a member of the Global Shapers Windhoek Hub. She has served as Vice-President of the Internet Society Namibia Chapter and is an alumna of the African School on Internet Governance. Through her research and advocacy, Rosevitha aims to contribute to a well-informed Namibian populace and a secure digital landscape.
Jessica Uiras is a Human Rights Analyst, In-Country Researcher, and UNLEASH SDG Global Talent with a strong focus on Public Diplomacy and Rural Development. She is deeply committed to initiatives that promote democratic engagement, freedom of expression, and social justice in Namibia. Jessica currently serves as the Director of Communications at Rural Rise Namibia and is a co-founder of JAS Media cc. Additionally, she founded the Eagles Foundation, which advocates for marginalised communities, including young people with disabilities. She is also an alumna of the African School on Internet Governance.
Ompha Tshamano currently serves as a Project Officer at the Expression, Information and Digital Rights (EIDR) Unit at the Centre for Human Rights. In addition to this role, he is pursuing a Master of Laws in socio-economic rights at the University of Pretoria and holds a keen interest in fostering the empowerment of vulnerable and marginalised communities within the digital era.
This conversation was recorded on 26 August 2024.
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