Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698748175776.pdf (Namibia)
REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA VOTE 27: MINISTRY OF SPORT, YOUTH AND NATIONAL SERVICE BUDGET MOTIVATION SPEECH 2016/2017 PRESENTED BY: HON.

JERRY EKANDJO, MINISTER NATIONAL ASSEMBLY 22 MARCH 2016 Vision: To build a Namibian identity through active and proud people Honourable Chairperson of the Whole House Committee, Honourable Members, It is my distinct honour to present to this August House, the budget request for Vote 27: Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service, for the Financial Year 2016/2017.
Honourable Chairperson of the Whole House Committee; First of all allow me to join others to congratulate Honourable Calle Schlettwein, Minister of Finance, and the Minister of Economic Planning and Director General of the National Planning Commission, Hon.

Tom Alwendo and the staff of these institutions, for having managed to allocate resources to my Ministry.

My Ministry has been mandated to develop and empower the youth and promote sport in all its facets.
The proposed budget request for my Ministry in this financial year 2016/2017, amounts to FOUR HUNDRED AND NINETY ONE MILLION AND FORTY FIVE THOUSAND NAMIBIA DOLLARS (N$491 045 000.00).

This amount represents: FOUR HUNDRED AND TWELVE MILLION, SEVEN HUNDRED AND EIGHTY SEVEN THOUSAND, SIX HUNDRED AND TWO NAMIBIA DOLLARS (N$ 412 787 602.00) for the Operational Budget; llPage and SEVENTY EIGHT MILLION, TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY SEVEN THOUSAND NAMIBIA DOLLARS (N$ 78 257 000.00) for the Development Budget.
Honourable Chairperson of the Whole House Committee; Honourable Members, The Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service, agree and acknowledges that in the Namibian House, no one should be left behind.

None of us should sleep peacefully knowing that out there is a Namibian who went to bed on an empty stomach.

It is the belief of my Ministry that nothing is out of reach if we pull together as a nation.
We struggled to liberate ourselves from the yoke of colonialism despite being out number 1:5 by the colonial forces.

With share determination, discipline and dedication, today our country is free and independent.

I therefore believe that with the same level of dedication, commitment, hard work and perseverance, we can win the war on poverty.

We can create hope for a better future for our citizens.
The Minister of Finance in his budget speech placed greater emphasis on job creation, poverty eradication and improved income equality, and our Ministry agrees that all these can be achieved through sustainable economic growth- 'Doing More with Less'.

Honourable Chairperson of the Whole House Committee; My Ministry has its five (5) year Strategic Plan for the years 2013 to 2017 which was adjusted to conform to our new mandate which is firmly in place.
This plan is used as a guidance to ensure that the Ministry achieve its set objective and deliverables namely: To empower the youth, Promote a Sporting Lifestyle.

21Page My Ministry is proud to announce that as part of the strategic initiatives, we have been hard at work to decentralise our activities to all fourteen (14) regions of our country.
With the assistance from our sister Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, consultation have been undertaken to ensure that during this financial year, 2016117, we enter into the delegation phase of decentralisation and work towards devolution as envisaged in the Decentralisation Policy.

We have restructured our Ministry to ensure that regional structures are more visible and that the transition is smooth.
Weare at this stage waiting for the final comments on our proposed structure from the Office of the Prime Minister.

Once approved, we will begin the process of seconding our staff to Regional Council including resources associated with the delegated functions.
Honourable Chairperson of the Whole House Committee; Previously, I did present to this August House our efforts to construct our Headquarters complex inclusive of a Sport Village at Plot 9109, Katutura Youth Complex which commenced during the 2014/2015 financial Year.

I have to admit that progress on this project has been painfully slow.

As you might be aware, my Ministry has no technical capacity to lead such a complex project and has therefore been depended on our sister Ministry of Works.
Up- to until now, the only progress we can report is the boundary wall which seem to take forever to finish.

OUf hope is that now that all documentations including appointments have been made, the proj ect will start moving during this financial year.

However, we are also aware of the restrictions that has been put on the construction of offices but 31Page are also mindful of the need to have an office from which to operate in order to save on the rental.
We have requested through the National Planning Commission and the Ministry of Finance for the Public Private Partnership approach to be used if possible in this regard.

Honourable Chairperson of the Whole House Committee; Honourable Members, Youth constitute a big part of the Namibian population and are also tomorrow's leaders and it is therefore critical to empower them.

My Ministry is continuously investing in youth skills development for the betterment of their future.
However, the challenge of adequate funding has limited our ability to respond positively to all requests received.

Honourable Chairperson of the Whole House Committee; During the 2015/16 financial year, the Directorate Youth Development implemented activities under the theme "Empowerment and development of unemployed youth and school drop-outs" in the following fields: 1.
Vocational Education and Training: There are four (4) operational skills training centres under the Ministry offering various trades and courses.

During the financial year 2015/16 (753) youth respectively were trained and graduated at these above-mentioned centres.

This is a decrease of one hundred seventeen (117) in the number of trainees compared to the last 41Page financial year.
The variance is due to outdated training equipment and machinery which could not be replaced owing to declining budget allocated.

2.

Multi-Purpose Youth Resource Centres: There are currently sixteen (16) operational Multi -Purpose Youth Resource Centre countrywide providing short courses ranging from three (3) to six (6) months in basic computer literacy; tailoring and dressmaking; hospitality and catering.
During the 2015/16 financial year, one thousand six hundred forty nine (1649) unemployed and out of school youth were trained at the abovementioned centres.

Again eighty four (84) trainees less than the previous year and is attributed to the outdated training equipment such as computers and sewing machines which could not be replaced due to lack of funds.

4.
4.

The Namibia Youth Credit Scheme (NYCS): The Namibia Youth Credit Scheme (NYCS) which aims at creating a conducive environment under which potential youth entrepreneurs can be empowered with skills and credit facilities in order to positively contribute to the country's socio-economic development managed to train an additional one thousand eighty (1080) youth during the 2015/16 financial year.

This number increases the total number of beneficiaries to 10,925.
In the meantime, the Scheme is in the process of arranging payments of loans to 2280 youth during the 2016/17 financial year, as SIPage well as to train 100 prospective beneficiaries per region, in the next MTEF period.

5.
Capital Projects: There are currently sixteen (16) capital projects under the Directorate of Youth Development (DYD) at different phases of progress, however, due to limited budget allocated to the Directorate in particular and the Ministry in general, the projects below (and funds allocated) have been prioritised for the 2016/17 financial year: ~ Frans Dimbare Rural Youth Development Centre in Kavango East (N$9 million); ~ Mariental Multi-Purpose Youth Resource Centre III Hardap (N$800,000) for demolition; ~ Construction of Otjiwarongo Multi-Purpose Youth Resource Centre (N$5 million) feasibility study and documentation; ~ Construction of Swakopmund Multi-Purpose Youth Resource Centre (N$5 million); ~ Construction of Rundu Multi-Purpose Youth Resource Centre (N$500 000): Retention fee for phase 1; ~ Construction of Opuwo Multi-Purpose Youth Resource Centre (N$5 million); phase 2 ~ Construction of Nkurenkuru Multi-Purpose Youth Resource Centre (N$500 000); 6.
National Youth Service Capital Projects: 61Page At Henties Bay the on-going project which started in 2014115 for the linkage of the sewerage system from the Centre to the Henties Bay Municipality main treatment plant as well as a project on the erection of pre- fabricated office block, clinic and classrooms have been concluded at a combined cost ofN$10.2 million At Rietfontein, a N$6.5 million was spent on water supply and reticulation system, which include ground reservoir, a tower as well as the linkage lines are nearing completion.
In addition, phase 2 of the sewerage system which includes the construction of ponds; treatment plant and linkage of sewerage and water lines to the recently constructed Chinese aided ongoing infrastructure is in progress and will cost N$7 million when completed.
At the occasion of the NYS 9th intake pass-out parade on 3rd March 2016 at Henties Bay Training Centre, attended and inaugurated by His Excellency, Dr. Hage Geingob, President of the Republic of Namibia, four hundred and eighty nine (489) young men and women graduated from phase 1 of the National Youth Service Training Programme, namely Civic Education; During phase 2 of the NYS Training Programme, namely Voluntary Community Service, five hundred and forty (540) recruits will be attached to the following OIM/As: e Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service; e Ministry of Health and Social Service; Q Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources; 71Page o Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry; • Opuwo Town Council; • Omusati Regional Council; and ., National Youth Service Training Centers.
Honourable Chairperson of the Whole House Committee; Michael Jordan an American Sports man once said "If you're trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks.

I've had them; everybody has had them.

But obstacles' don't have to stop you.

If you run into a wall, don't turn and give up.

Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it" A strong national identity can be forged through outstanding achievements in the sports arena.
Celebrations of success help bring the people together, and create stronger bonds.

Namibian athletes continued with their excellent showing at international sporting events.

The likes of Johannes Nambala, Johanna Benson and others again managed to bring home medals.

Indeed 2015 has been a year in which a number of successes in the sporting arena were recorded.

Out of the main Rugby playing nations of the world, Namibia is the only country without a full time professional Rugby team.
Our players only come together to form a national team composed of players from different backgrounds and profession.

This trends is equally visible in soccer and other sports codes in Namibia.

It is with deep sense of pride that I say thank you to all our sports men and women for a job well done under very difficult conditions.
81Page When the National Rugby team played their first game against the All Black during the World cup in London last year, everyone was expecting a score line which would have set the world record for being the widest score margin ever scored in a world cup competition.

However, our team surprised everyone and earned us the true name of the Land of the Brave.

I congratulate the team for keeping the flag of Namibia flying high.

This was indeed a big achievement.


Honourable Chairperson of the Whole House Committee The National Soccer Team (Brave Warriors) equally surprised our nation when out of nowhere they ended up winners of the regional soccer tournament namely Confederation of Southern African Football Association (COSAFA) Cup last year in Rustenburg, South Africa.

The team started slowly but as the competition progressed, the team grew in confidence, zeal and determination and eventually won competition.
As a result, we are the champions and will this year host the cup which we will have to defend as champions against 16 other nations.

Namibia Paralympic team continue to bring medals from different competitions.

At the South African Nedbank Disable Championship the team return with over thirty (30) metals.

The team also participated at the International Paralympic Championship, which took place in Doha, Qatar and won 1 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze medals The Paralympic team came 3rd overall at the games.
91Page Namibia also participated at the All Africa Games which took place in Congo, Brazzaville last year.

Namibia came 7th out of thirty eight (38) countries.

These games were a celebration of 50 years of All Africa Games, the first of which were held in Congo Brazzaville in 1965.

Honourable Chairperson of the Whole House Committee; The Ministry has started with the process of reviewing both the Sports Act, Professional Boxing Act and the Sports Policy to address sport development issues at hand.
The Ministry knows that good sports facilities are essential for sport development therefore the Ministry will continue to invest in the construction and maintenance of Sport Facilities in order to create conducive sporting environment.

It is for this reason that the Ministry would like to encourage local authorities and other sport facilities owners to plan and invest in facilities based on local need and sustainable business plans to reduce reliance on central government.
Honourable Chairperson of the Whole House Committee; My Ministry is continuously redoubling its efforts to support our athletes that would compete at various Olympic qualifier events in our quest to compete at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

The process is a long and complicated one currently 12 athletes have qualified, but our hope is that a significant number of our athletes will qualify to represent us at the event.
In the same vein, I would like to appeal to the private sector to 10 I P age actively get involved in supporting sports in our country alongside the government.

Honourable Chairperson of the Whole House Committee; The 2016117 budget for my Ministry will go to support the programmes of the Ministry as follows: 1.
Directorate of Sport Development This directorate has been allocated ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY THREE MILLION, EIGHTY HUNDRED AND THIRTY EIGHT DOLLARS N$ 123838000 to cater for all Sports related activities including subsidies to the Namibia Sports Commission ofN$ 38000000-00 2.
Directorate of Youth Development This directorate has been allocated TWO HUNDRED AND FOUR MILLION, TWO HUNDRED AND EIGHTY ONE THOUSAND, FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS N$ 204 281 500-00 to cater for all Youth related activities including subsidies to the National Youth Service of N$102 040 000-00, National Youth Council at N$ 15 750000-00 and Namibia Youth Credit Scheme at N$ 8210000-00 3.
Directorate General Services This directorate has been allocated ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY TWO MILLION, NINE HUNDRED AND TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND, ONE HUNDRED AND TWO DOLLARS N$162 925102-00 to cater for lllPage all the support services within the Ministry including salaries, other conditions of service, materials, transport and utilities and other benefits.
Honourable Chairperson of the Whole House Committee; Finally, a total ofN$ 78257000-00 has been allocated to cater for all our capital projects both new and continuing around the country.

Honourable Chairperson of the Whole House Committee; Allow me to now highlight some of the challenges my Ministry is faced with and if funding is not provided, will jeopardise Namibia's chances to host international event or benefit from this untapped industry.
The worrying factor is the fear that in not so distant future, we may end up being banned from certain sporting activities if we fail to pay our membership and participation fees.
During the preparation of our 20 1611 7 budget, our State Owned Enterprises and all Directorates of the Ministry met to budget as a Ministry instead of individual components or directorates and SOEs .The total budget request that came from the National Youth Service was N$ 187040000-00 of which only N$ 102000000-00 was granted leaving a shortfall ofN$ 85 000 000-00.

The National Youth Council requested for N$ 84750000-00 and only N$ 15750000-00 was granted leaving N$ 69000 000-00 funding gap.
The Namibia Sports Commission submitted a budget amounting to N$ 179 000 000-00 to cater for all sports codes.

Unfortunately, only N$ 38670000-00 was granted.

With such funding gaps and the pressure being exerted on my Ministry by the Youth and Sports men and women, it has become a nightmare to respond and satisfy 12 I P age multiple requests for funding.
Young people and sports men and women whenever they have events which does not fall or cannot be catered for on the budget of the Ministry, they will approach different government Ministries/agencies and yet they end up being referred back to the Ministry.

Professional Boxing is very expensive and yet we are supposed to pay.

Our codes normally perform outside Namibia putting stress on our budget as we have to pay in foreign currency.
These are challenges my Ministry has to deal with daily and hope that someday we will have the means to invest in these very challenging and yet rewarding activities.

Honourable Chairperson of the Whole House Committee; I would like to take this opportunity to thank the team of my Ministry, the Permanent Secretary, the Management and the entire staff members for their valuable contributions made to this budget motivation speech.
In Conclusion, Honourable Members, my Ministry is committed to contributing significantly to the building of a strong Namibian nation and identity through Sports and higher level of youth engagement and therefore an amount of FOUR HUNDRED AND NINETY ONE MILLION, FOURTY FOUR THOUSAND, SIX HUNDRED AND TWO NAMIBIA DOLLARS (N$491 044602.00) is sought under Vote 27 for the 2016/2017 Financial Year in order to fulfil our mandate.

I Thank You, 13IPage