AUGUST, 2022 ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY Facts & Analysis SCAN & SHARE A COPY The RDJ Briefing and it's analysis is written and authored through collaboration with RDJ Consulting Services CC based in Windhoek, Namibia Africa's Greatest Asset THE YOUTH
ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY Facts & Analysis C O N T E N T S 30 05 04 Did You Know? Mining From The Editor 16 Roads & Transport Tenders and Careers 24 Women In Industry 31Contributing Authors 21 ICT & Telecommunications 26 18 A U G 2 0 2 2 14 Renewable Energy The Environment 10OIL & GAS Economy at Large 06 Cover Image Courtesy of Mercia Windwaai
RDJ Publishing (Pty) Ltd is the publishing home of the RDJ Briefing, written and authored through the collaboration with RDJ Consulting Services CC (www rdjconsulting co za) RDJ Consulting Services CC is an advisory consultancy to the Energy, Water and Transport Sectors with a focus on sustainable operations and renewable energy. (DavidA Jarrett) Editor Authors RDJInterns* FROM THE EDITOR TheviewofEnvironmentalActivistsinAfrica Thewater,energyandfoodnexus With the upcoming 9th Mining Expo & Conference in Namibia running from 31 August to 1st September 2022, as well as the Green Hydrogen Conference on 16 to 17 August 2022, RDJPublishingiskeentomonitorandbringyou updates on these, highlighting all investment opportunitiesinboththeminingandtheGreen Hydrogensectors So,staytuned! Pleaseenjoyyourreading. Do feel free to comment, compliment and subscribe to briefing@rdjpublishing africa if you are a new reader: or reach me directly editor@rdjpublishing.africa Staytuned! WATCHTHISSPACE Enjoy,#StaySafeandahappy2022toyou POBox23738 Windhoek, NAMIBIA Telephone +264817503010 EMAIL briefing@rdjpublishingafrica WEBSITE www rdjpublishing africa YouthandMining TheCapetoCairoroute What’snext? DearReader, Welcometoour2022AugustEdition,aswetake you through a journey looking into the future and echoing the voice of the African youth, in honourofInternationalYouthDay Asyouareaware,Africaisthecontinentwiththe youngest population in the world This month, we look at some of the challenges faced by the Africanyouthineducation,trainingandindustry with looming high levels of unemployment crowding out hope Given that the youth are Africa’s greatest asset, this publication further analyses and reports on the various opportunities existing for African youth to excel and uplift the continent’s economy amidst the ongoingchallengesfromthecovid 19pandemic aftermath. WehaveatreatforyouaspartoftheWomanand Youth sections Please meet the Honourable EmmaTheofelus,whobecameAfrica'sYoungest Minister at the age of 23, as she takes us on a personal journey to her now position as Deputy Minister of Information, Communications and Technology in Namibia, along with her perspective on the youth’s participation on the 4IR Apartfromthis,otherrelevanttopicscoveredin thiseditioninclude: AFRICA AND ITS YOUTH A GREAT COMBINATION This report is a FREE Publication written and authored through collaboration with RDJ Consulting Services CC based in Windhoek, Namibia The content is collected from publicly available information and so its accuracy cannot be guaranteed
www.rdjpublishing.africa Didyouknow? Africa has the youngest population in the world with a median age of 19.8, 60% of its population is younger than 25 years. Courtesy: Studio Nigeria The African Youth Charter defines youth as a person between the ages of 15 and 35 years ThecontinentalmedianageinAfricais20yearsold Inlessthanthreegenerations,41%oftheworld’syouthwill beAfrican 1. 2 3 4. The number of university graduates almost tripled between 1999 and 2009 in Sub Saharan Africa, increasing from 1 6 million to 4 9 million 5 The youth population constitutes about 37% of the total labor force Quick Facts
Research further indicates that by 2030, it is expected that 30 million youth will be entering the African labour market each year In sub Saharan Africa alone, while 18 million jobs need to be created annually to absorb new entries in the labour market, only 3 million formal jobs are currently being created.
Author’s representation of to population Sub Saharan Africa age group Data
2010
The COVID 19 pandemic has worsened the state of African youth, who already face a myriad of socio economic challenges due to unemployment, lack of education and access to finance.
encompassing groups with different social, economic and political needs. Currently, around 60% of Africa's population is younger than 25 years, with a median age of 19 8, and more than a third this group (the 60%) are between 15 and 34 years old By 2030, young Africans are expected to make up 42 percent of the world's youth and account for 75 percent of the those under age 35 in Africa.
by
Harnessing the entrepreneurial potential of Africa’s youth as a powerful engine and demographic dividend holds great potential for sustainable development on the continent However, the lack of appropriate financing mechanisms and capacity building facilities puts them some steps away from their professional development goals.
distribution for
Scaling up Financing for the Youth Africa's Greatest Asset! frica is the continent with the youngest population worldwide The African Youth Charter defines youth as those aged between 15 35 years,
The World Bank reports that Africa’s working age population is expected to grow by 450 million people, or close to 70 percent, by 2035 New analysis shows that without effective policy change, there will only be about 100 million new jobs for this growing cadre of working people.
AUGUST, 20226
THE DILEMMA
source: www statista com www.rdjpublishing.africa E C O N O M Y A T L A R G E
A AUTHOR: Chilombo (Olga) Priscila Economist andEconomist @ RDJ Consulting Many young people, after completing their studies outside the continent, get offered job opportunities and with that, they opt in remaining outside instead of returning home to invest their knowledge in their local economy This usually happens due to the lack of employment opportunities available in the continent for home returning young professionals, along with limited funding opportunities to start up a new business
2021
7AUGUST, 2022
Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, AfBD president
The Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Multi Donor Trust Fund
t ” S id AfBD id
Launched in November 2017 with initial support of US $4 4 million from the Governments of Denmark and Norway, this initiative promotes the creation of sustainable jobs for young Africans by equipping youth and women led start ups as well as micro small and Africa must move beyond youth empowerment to youth investment, …This will help turn Africa’s demographic asset into an economic asset for the continent.”
The African Development Bank (AfDB) president reported that financial institutions in the region do not understand SMEs and are archaic in financing such businesses These institutions generally expect collateral, and decades of tax and company records, which start ups do not have So often, SMEs start with money from family members or friends, but because of a lack of continued financial support, they end up failing. Therefore, “Africa must move beyond youth empowerment to youth investment, This will help turn Africa’s demographic asset into an economic a t f th ti t
D D
In Africa, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are a powerful conduit for addressing the growing youth unemployment bulge. They represent 95% of all firms and generate about 80% of jobs across the continent, however, not many businesses survive their intended lifetime and produce the desired outputs due to financial constraints and the lack of enough relevant skills by the owners that are mostly the youth to successfully run and operate such their businesses. Actually, the biggest obstacle for SMEs across the continent is access to financing from traditional financial institutions like banks, as well as a lack of continued support and knowledge to help them scale While Sub Saharan Africa has been the second fastest growing region in the world over the last two decades, its weak spots include a staggering 83% of the youth who enter the job market and do not find employment.
The Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Multi Donor Trust Fund The Entrepreneurship Investment Bank
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The Jobs for Youth in Africa Initiative by the outbreak of covid 19 in the world especially to developing countries, the African youth continue to show that they are innovative, creative, and diligent in seeing their ideas come to life Being the majority in a continent with limited job opportunities, young people continue equipping themselves with skills beyond the classroom while being exposed to new and different career paths; this presents an opportunity to transform the continent in catalytic ways. With the arrival of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR), Africa’s underinvested youth are in need of urgent attention and so, youth entrepreneurship investment banks are recommended to become the focus of global support The AfDB for example, has seen this dilemma and is already taking steps towards bridging this need through initiatives such as:
What is your take with regards to financial inclusion for African youth? The conversation continues at briefing@rdjpublishing.africa Readings: Entrepreneurship Investment Banks
The Jobs for Youth in Africa Initiative
The AfDB is currently (the year 2022) in the process of establishing a Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank for its member countries, to help youngsters start businesses and create jobs. Through this initiative, Dr. Adesina affirms that the new banks would be able to support regional members of the AfBD to create their own national financing facilities wholly dedicated to not only financing youth but also giving them the necessary support to grow their businesses
WHAT NEXT?
Another promising initiative by the AfDB is the Jobs for Youth in Africa Initiative launched in 2016 Through its already launched strategy running from 2016 to 2025, the AfDB aims to support African countries vis à vis scaling up responses to the youth unemployment and underemployment crisis on the continent. This will be achieved through practical, high impact solutions aimed at creating opportunities via education and training, transformative jobs, and a business environment conducive to entrepreneurial activities
These and other strategies by the AfDB and other organizations are serving as cornerstones to building innovative, sustainable, and youth friendly environment for young people across the continent
African Development Bank (AfDB)
https://www brookings edu/blog/africa in focus/2022/03/10/africas youth are already leading the way to economic success/ https://ewn co za/2021/05/24/afdb to set up investment banks to help young entrepreneurs https://mo ibrahim foundation/news/2019/africas job market challenges#: :text=By%202030%2C%20it%20is%20expected,jobs% 20are%20currently%20being%20created https://www worldbank org/en/topic/competitiveness/publication /creating jobs for africas growing population https://www afdb org/en/news and events/press releases/youth are africas best asset invest them african development bank president adesina 43682 https://www youtube com/watch?v=3FhJdWyxNCA https://www afdb org/en/topics and sectors/initiatives partnerships/jobs for youth in africa
With the youth forming the majority of the economically active people in any economy, this indicates that the youth are the continent’s greatest asset, and if investments in the youth is made wisely, the continent canreachitshighesteconomicpotential
ease of trade to pan African markets will offer young people exploratory opportunities to discover their interestsanddeveloptheirfullpotential
With the right knowledge, skills, mentorship, financial resources and enabling policies, youth led enterprises cangroweconomiesandcreatejobopportunities
Establishing a youth friendly eco system by creating entrepreneurship hubs, business networking spaces, an With the right knowledge, skills, mentorship, financial resources and enabling policies, youth-led enterprises can grow economies and create job opportunities.
AUGUST, 20228 Youth
Striving to Make a Difference in the Energy and Sustainability Sphere Contact us: 081 750 3002 info@@rdjconsulting.co.za www.rdjconsulting.co.za
www.rdjconsulting.co.za August 2022 Fuel Prices Update AUGUST, 202210 The US$ equivalent refers to current exchange rates (August 2022) Data Source: theglobaleconomy com NAMIBIA ANGOLA SOUTH AFRICA NIGERIA O I L & G A S Effective as of 1 August 2022 N$ 22.770 / US$ 1.340 perlitreDiesel50ppm Effective as of 1 August 2022 R 25.095/ US$ 1.513 perlitreDiesel50ppm Effective as of 1 August 2022 Kz 160.000/ US$ 0.370 perlitreDiesel50ppm Effective as of 1 August 2022 ₦ 175.890/ US$ 0.421 perlitreDiesel50ppm
Policies and Plan’s These however at times tend to be academic and lack implementation initiatives based on a lack of funding in place to carry out meaningful exercise.
From a quantitative viewpoint, currently, around 60% of Africa's population is younger than 25 years, with a median age of 19 8, and more than a third this group (the 60%) are between 15 and 34 years old By 2030, young Africans are expected to make up 42 percent of the world's youth and account for 75 percent of the those under age 35 in Africa. So shouldn’t their views take centre stage?
While the push for the phasing out of fossil fuels and in particular coal based electricity generation and diesel/petrol transport is a key focus area, the matter of not being able to use “local” resources and job losses is a counter one With this need for climate and sustainable development action, all sections of society must take part in this and be consistent in their efforts for the impacts to be tangible Several states have ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC’s), Renewable Energy ustainable energy has an essential role in government strategies to build back better in the current economic crisis. Energy efficiency and ren
ManagingConsultant@RDJConsulting
The World Bank reports that Africa’s working age population is expected to grow by 450 million people, or close to 70 percent, by 2035 New analysis shows that without effective policy change, there will only be about 100 million new jobs for this growing cadre of working people, however, one of the real failings is the inclusion of the youth voice and an understanding of their needs.
Sustainable Aviation Fuels (Courtesy: Airbus)
Youth and the Just Energy Transition
www.rdjpublishing.africa AUGUST, 202212
AUTHOR: David Jarrett
S ewable energy, for example, can deliver a significant number of jobs and provide multiple benefits, among other related to climate change mitigation Enter the Just Energy transition, which seeks to ensure that climate action is balanced and that those who can afford, pay for the transition towards a cleaner future.
compacts https://www.ilo.org/shinyapps/bulkexplorer13/? lang=en&segment=indicator&id=UNE 2EAP SEX AGE RT
https://ec.europa.eu/regional policy/sources/docgener/guides/yo uth just
Solutions?
One of the most pressing must act today to ensure the world we leave to our children and grandchildren is prosperous, equitable and sustainable,” Director General Francesco La Camera transition for a Just Energy Transition at IRENA Eleventh Assembly un energy A
en pdf https://www irena org/newsroom/articles/2021/Jan/Global Youth Call
A greater integration of climate and energy polices with measures to support employment, and technical vocational education and training (TVET) policies that encourage the development of skills and job creation is necessary. Enhanced skills development and decent work opportunities for youth can be created in the sustainable energy and clean mobility sectors
“We
The youth can make an impact to the Just Energy Transition through decision making, as a skilled workforce and through their innovation that will enhance value chains Thus, young people must be allowed to interact with policy makers and experts as early as possible, raise awareness and introduce the topic into the curriculum.
IRENA
Initiatives to develop business and technical skills and create jobs targeting the youth should be pursued more vigorously, with increased collaboration between the private sector and educational institutions to improve the quality and accessibility of training Educational institutions should now gear the youth for more embedded and isolated generation, integrated energy efficient systems, electric and hybrid mobility, vehicle to grid applications and more as employer’s need innovative employee’s to meet growing industry needs
The youth should also be asked to offer possible solutions so that they are actively involved Any results from their solutions, once applied should be fed back to them to provoke a communications / feedback loop that will let them note that they are being taken seriously However, young people have many barriers such as those in accessing quality education and training, inclusive financial mechanisms, and meaningful employment opportunities in the various sectors, that prevent them from leading, participating in, and benefitting from the sustainable energy transition
https://www
Decarbonisation will thus need the youth to recognize the problem and acknowledge their role in any possible solution. Some of the steps will require a change in how state resources are allocated and interact with the youth.
org/en/energy compacts/page/champion youth mainstreaming
The conversation continues briefing@rdjpublishing.africa Readings: Courtesy : RDJ Consulting 13AUGUST, 2022
www.rdjpublishing.africa AUGUST, 202214 M I N I N G South Africa’s push for Youth Friendly Mining A Model for Africa? AUTHOR: Hannah Brendell PolicySpecialist Intern@RDJConsulting Courtesy : Unsplash
With the impact that mining has on economies, it is fair to conclude that this sector could also impact youth employment at the same time Further, as most mining jobs require skills, the youth need to acquire the requisite skill sets A call to make mining, “Youth Friendly” is thus par for the course Making mining more “Youth Friendly” by allowing for young people to access jobs is not a new concept. Back in 2011 public hearings were held in South Africa with the Top Ten South African Mining Companies focused around the Mining Charter and job creation of the youth During these public hearings mining companies were asked to speak about their efforts towards job creation but little was said in terms of future commitments to job creation for the youth. Eleven years later (20220, and the same challenges remain when it comes to jobs for the youth in mining but new challenges have also presented themselves such as the lack of youth appeal towards the mining industry and unawareness of job opportunities within mining operations Answering these and other questions like them is something mining companies have had to grapple with to ensure their future. The relevance of Youth Friendly mining is not lost on some stakeholders within the industry and it is for that very reason that “Youth” ining in Africa as illustrated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), accounts for 10% of GDP for Sub Saharan African resource intenseM https://pmg.org.za/committee meeting/13689/ https://yes4youth co za/how the mining sector can unearth sas most valuable resource with yes/ https://www miningweekly com/article/how the mining sector can unearth sas most valuable resource with yes 2022 05 09 https://yes4youth co za/ https://www youtube com/watch?v=i2ob3IdZMUE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6 cJ PlGx 0
There were 2 models introduced which would entail mining companies sponsoring a 12 month income generating work experience. Either at mining companies or at third party enterprises such as non governmental organizations (NGOs) and SMMEs. Mining companies that come on board would benefit from incentives such as being able to deliver on their social and labour plans (SLP), environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals and their Social Development Goals (SDG); thus, making them more appealing to investors and consumers alike
www.rdjpublishing.africa 15AUGUST, 2022 countries, making it one of the largest contributors to their economies In terms of exploratory expenditure, some USD 1 1 billion (ZAR 17 93 billion) was spent in 2019, this makes for an economic impact at any level
YES Chief partnership officer, Farai Mubaiwa had this to say at the Mining Indaba, “Our host partner model ensures that no one is left behind in the just transition, and that we are developing sustainable societies that improve livelihoods ” To date YES has gotten over 2 200 corporate partners onboard and has allowed for over 82 000 youth to gain work experience from various industries since 2018 proving how effective it can be in addressing youth unemployment broadly.
Readings:
was a central topic at the most recent Mining Indaba in Cape Town, South Africa which took place in May 2022 One of the stakeholders was Youth Employment Services(YES) who presented a piece on how they were working in collaboration with mining companies to increase youth employment within South Africa, while also aiding mining companies achieve their objectives as outlined under the Mining Charter
Other African countries can learn from South Africa’s push for more youth in mining through the creation of a programme similar to YES It has been said that the youth are Africa’s most valuable resource and therefore having policies within the mining industry and government that speak to them is of the utmost importance. How do you see the topic of Youth Friendly Mining playing out Africa? The conversation continues briefing@rdjpublishing.africa
T he issue of economic development in developing countries requires an increased need for resources and markets Currently it is estimated that 60% of southern Africa’s population reside in rural areas This by its very nature, results in a populace that has limited access to basic services and amenities such as clean and safe water, affordable and clean energy, and balanced and nutritious diets (Mabhaudhi et al, 2019)
E N E W A B L E E N E R G Y
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AUGUST, 202216
As always, and I guess politicians would disagree, each of those (Water, Energy and Food) are managed in “silo based planning” and dealt with from separate policy standpoints This is evident even more so by how the various Ministry’s are nomenclated such as a Ministry of Water and Agriculture, as well as a Ministry of Energy This is further disaggregated at the work level with Corporations of Water, Energy and Food.
AUTHOR: David Jarrett ManagingConsultant@RDJConsulting
The Real Nexus: Water, Energy and Food R
Courtesy:pxherecom
Poverty reduction and economic growth will then require a real change in policy approaches and increased adaptation of the way resources are allocated and used Awareness raising and interaction with the decision makers can allow room for action and innovation The conversationcontinues briefing@rdjpublishing.africa
Studies by Mabhaudhi et al, 2019 point out that existing silo approaches are unsustainable due to the unbalanced approach which itself then increases the risk and vulnerability of resources. Rasul and Sharma (2015) agree that the silo based sectoral approach is insensitive to the fact that there are genuine, natural interconnections and interdependence between the sectors This is an urgent problem as: The agriculture sector employ’s approximately 40% of the population in Southern Africa and mainly depends on seasonal rains and is largely supported by small scale or subsistence farmers. Extreme weather events are increasingly threatening agricultural output and putting the livelihoods of farmers and regional food security at risk these floods and droughts will only become more frequent as the effects of climate change intensify In Southern Africa, water and energy are inextricably linked. Though the energy mix is diverse, 90 to 100% of electricity production locally in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, and Zambia is generated by hydropower The region has enormous
Energy is less utilised in the agricultural sector especially in the small holder setup but this is changing. However, both energy and agriculture are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change as these resources could be severelyhamperedduetochangingclimateconditions
https://doi.org/10.3390%2Fijerph16162970 https://www water energy food org/nexus regional dialogue nrd in southern africa https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/14693062.2015.10 29865 https://doi org/10 1080/14693062 2015 1029865
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ANexus BasedAdaptationFrameworkCourtesy:GolamRasul&BikashSharma(2016) AUGUST, 2022 17
potential to scale up hydropower dams as well as solar andwindpowergeneration.
Readings:
TulyamuhwezaEzra
There isn’t a specific action I can tell others to take, to be better custodians of the planet If you’re good in interpreting the technical language used in policies, do that and share with others If you’re a storyteller, use it to communicate the complexities of the problems
ClimateActivistandaFinalYearLawStudent
DixonBahandagira
ToiniAmutenya SocialandClimateJusticeYouthActivist
People, eventually, will find the confidence to solve their problems
Communities already know what form of resilience or solution they need, they’re only waiting for someone to amplify their confidence to do it Be prepared to unlearn what you think you already know and relearn new things
SouthAfrica
ClimateJusticeActivistandEnvironmentalist
www.rdjpublishing.africa
ShelotMasithi climatejusticeactivistandDaisspeakerforForceofNature.SheisalsotheExecutiveDirectorofShe4Earth
Advice for the Youth of Africa T
We need to fight for a better planet,and it starts with you as Barrack Obama once said we are the change we need"and to simply remind dear youth to plant as many trees as possible, live healthy and happy and recycle more. I encourage my fellow youths to stand strong by uniting, if we want to go far we need to walk together because the next town is our next generation, we need to fight for our future and to avoid the same mistakes our fathers, leaders have done We have to accept the new normal of renewable energy like solars which is good for our planet and health as well. We have one tool and that is social media which can help us reach many platforms and offices like the office of Secretary General of UN and many more.
We have a limited time to stay on earth we must try and use this period for the purpose of transforming our continent into what we desire it to be We are the leaders of the future and the future is today if we only come together we can change our destiny
AUGUST, 202218
H E E N V I R O N M E N T
Uganda -NgaboSaad ClimateChangeActivist
AUTHOR: Hannah Brendell PolicySpecialist Intern@RDJConsulting Namibia
Dear African youths, on international platforms we are under represented. We lack your support and we can only go far together. Our continent needs us and your skills, so join the AYM4COP I call upon an African Youth to identify a youth empowerment platform to engage on, on a national level We need each other and as we grow, we need new minds to fill the space We should applaud the digital world that has formed a global village and we can now meet any time of the day from across the continent to plan and execute Dear Namibian youth, Join Youth for Climate Action Namibia and become a regional active member
www.rdjpublishing.africa KenyaEgyptNigeriaBurkinaSenegalUgandaSouthNamibiaAfricaFaso EGYPT LoayRadwan Environmental Engineer,Young LeaderfortheSDGs endorsedbyUN Nigeria LovelynAndrawusThalkuma Environmentalistandclimatejusticeactivist South Africa ShelotMasithi-Climate JusticeActivist Senegal YeroSarr Environmental Activist AUGUST, 2022 19
I find the global actions against climate change insufficient, and this is due to the reluctance of some powers to turn the page on the use of fossil fuels which alone accounts for more than 85% of the global CO2 emissions
www.rdjpublishing.africa
BurkinaFaso
-LovelynAndrawusThalkuma Environmentalistandclimatejusticeactivist
NouhouZoungrana
IbrahimMuhammadShamsuddin climatejusticeactivist,digitalstoryteller,grassrootsmobilizer,andcertifiedteacher
There is still a lot to do if we want the survival of the planet and the human race
My message to the young African youth is that they are the key to the transformation and development of Africa. Young people bring energy, innovation, and creativity that can transform the continent.So I urge all the African youth to stand up and take action, cause even the smallest actions like using your car less, buying green products, and supporting environmental NGOs can have a huge impact
Young people are about ⅔ of Africa's population and it’s time for us take over and ensure intergenerational equity in our fight against the climate crisis because we will live to adapt to its impacts , it’s high time we get engaged in ensuring access to climate change education using a bottom top approach ensuring that people in the most remote areas understands what we are up against and how best we can fight together and be the better custodians of the planet uniting government, civil society and the private sector in a fight for sustainable future
LoayRadwan EnvironmentalEngineer,YoungLeaderfortheSDGsendorsedbyUN
There are various land based jobs that we youth can tap in the land value chain that will reduce high rates of unemployment in Africa, reduce droughts and also cushion the youths from the risky migration through the Mediterranean going abroad to look for greener pastures
YeroSarr Environmentalactivist
PatriciaMumbuaKombo Environmentalist,founderPatreeInitiative,UnitedNationConventiontoCombatDesertification(UNCCD)LandHero “The future belongs to the young”, they say So, the involvement of young people in the protection of biodiversity and the environment is essential because we are the actors of tomorrow This takes place through their capacity building on new themes, our involvement in environmental policies and the execution of development projects
EnvironmentalActivistandGeographer environmentalis
Nigeria Egypt Kenya
AUGUST, 202220
Let's rise and save our planet, our continent, our cultures, our only one home and Earth We need to wake up and treat the climate crisis as an emergency with urgency We can achieve this by speaking up and lending our voices to speak for those who can't or have a voice
Youths can make the land a parameter of fortune only when they are involved in land practices
Senegal
Social media is a great tool to use Let's hold our leaders accountable for their actions in nonviolent ways and moves
Courtesy:
R O A D S A N D T R A N S P O R T
RDJ Consulting AUGUST, 2022 21
The Cape to Cairo route or the Pan African Highway was first proposed in 1874 by Edwin Arnold with the aim to stretch the 102228 km length of Africa, Cape to Cairo Route: What is next?
T
expanding roadways in Africa and at the same time mitigating the cumbersome nature of the transport industry which has changed over the past four decades.
AUTHOR:DavidJunias
Zdenek Tomes, a scholar specializing in economics at Masaryk University in the Czech Republic, wrote that railways in the 19th century were the only transport mode able to offer a reliable and complex service He writes that there was limited competition between canals and stagecoaches, and there were no cars, buses, and good roads to compete with them It was much later, in the 20th century that the road mode of transport emerged with infrastructures such as trans highways, gigantic car carrier trailers, and pay toll roads, which declined and relinquished society’s focus on the rail mode of transport. from Cape Town in South Africa to Cairo in Egypt, and to link British colonies to Britain The cross border route would foster more trade and transportation of goods from British colonies to Britain, primarily via the rail mode of transportation. However, the proposal was unsuccessful until Britain’s colonialism in Africa ended. The decline of rail mode of transportation In the 1980s, the Cape to Cairo route was revived by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), an organization under the United Nations (UN) which aims to encourage economic cooperation among African member states of the UN. UNECA’s project is focusing on
Researcher@RDJConsulting
wwwrdjpublishingafrica
In addition, the Cape to Cairo Road is co funded by the African Development Bank (AFDB), in cooperation with the UNECA. The cross border road project also paid attention to Egypt’s signatory multilateral trade agreements such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Reports by Mohamed Sabry further disclose that, after long delays due to the coronavirus pandemic, African countries officially began trading on 01 January 2021 under AfCFTA. Cape to Cairo route is appreciated in Kenya, and just like https://www al monitor com/originals/2021/02/egypt road africa development export trade html#ixzz7aLIiBXFK https://web archive org/web/20070128052858/http://w ww.afdb.org/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/ADB ADMIN PG/DO CUMENTS/NEPAD INFORMATION/TAH FINAL VOL2.PDF https://atlanticoonline.com/en/kenya cape to cairo route to be expanded with support from the african development bank/ https://infrastructurenews co za/2014/08/26/cape to cairo delivering challenges/ http://www itregep cz/media/65214/long term decline .pdf in Egypt, the project is co funded by the AFDB. According to the Atlantico website article dated 04 October 2019, AfDB has approved loans of about € 209 million to finance the expansion of a highway, which is part of the Cape to Cairo route, linking Kenya’s major economic centers
Readings: Courtesy:RDJConsulting Courtesy:RDJConsulting AUGUST, 202222
Cape to Cairo, a step closer with Trans highway road constructions UNECA’s initiative on the Cape to Cairo Road project influenced African countries to initiate the project by constructing and upgrading road routes with trans highway constructions.
In Egypt, Mohamed Sabry indicate that Cape to Cairo route is under construction On the 4th of June 2017, he wrote that the Egyptian government proposed its efforts to build a road linking Egypt with nine African countries as part of its efforts to boost development and bolster Egypt’s exports to the rest of Africa Mohamed Sabry further reports that the Transport Minister of Egypt Kamel Wazir foresees significant economic benefits in the Cape to Cairo Road such as promoting sustainable development, trade exchange with Egypt’s neighbors, and enhancing access to the Egyptian exports to the Arab and African markets
In conclusion, African countries such as Egypt, Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa are actively involved to make the Cape to Cairo route a reality That said, these African countries still need to bear in mind the possible challenges in the construction of the Cape to Cairo route, such challenges include funds for road construction, customs regulations, and inconsistent tax frameworks. As we wait for the completion of the Cape to Cairo route The conversation continues at briefing@rdjpublishing.africa
The first safety workshop was held in Windhoek at the NCAA head quarters on the 16th May 2022 and cluded 25 participants at the event and another 40 online participants online
The safety event is to be hosted in Swakopmund which will allow addressing the many costal based aviation
NCAA has successfully implemented the MS Teams platform to ensure the events can be hybrid and thus cater for many more people that the limited spaces available for in person events The MS Teams platform allows anyone with a browser and the link to attend, and does not require any installation of software like alternatives such as Zoom. Due to the success of the first event and because of perceived safety issues to be addressed, the NCAA plans the second safety workshop on the 29th September 2022
NAMIBIA CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY SAFETY WORKSHOP
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Those who wish to attend should please contact the NCAA SPQ department on spq@ncaa.na, it is important to book your seat, or to obtain the link for virtual attendees
The Namibia Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)has launched a number of safety initiatives this year as part of the implementation of the State Safety Programme and in preparation of publication of the National Aviation Safety Plan in 2023. One of these initiatives is the introduction of safety workshops for aviation stakeholders to promote important safety topics. These safety events have been developed by the NCAA Safety Promotion and Quality team (SPQ) which manages the safety events databases including incidents, accidents, hazards, findings, and safety recommendations These databases feed important safety issues into the forefront of NCAA’s attention for addressing during stakeholder events such as these workshops
Tstakeholdershesafetyevent is to be hosted at the Atlantic Villa Guest House and will run from 09:00 to 16:00.
Ninety percent of youth transition into work before reaching tertiary education, yet historically, secondary education systems have been designed to meet the needs Youth education and skills for work Forces such as digitalization and automation, climate change, and now the COVID 19 pandemic, are rapidly changing the nature of work, making secondary level skills critical to labour market participation.
Youth with relevant skills are better able to engage in complex tasks, adapt to new technologies, improve the quality of products and services produced, and advance innovation This enhanced productivity is particularly important in the informal sector, where the majority of youth will find jobs for the foreseeable future Its is therefore crucial to re think the future of Africa’s Secondary Education system, as well as the role of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutes since they play a significant role in determining the quality of future professionals in the continent With this, Africa Portal therefore views that reimagining secondary education as a platform to work is a paradigm shift from a pathway to tertiary for a select few, to a mass system capable of meeting the needs and aspirations of a diverse set of learners.
How can we protect it?
According to the World Bank, there will be a 70% rise in Africa’s working population (aged between 15 and 64) between 2015 and 2035 The 15 to the 24 year old age group is estimated to increase by approximately six million annually over the next decade, making the environment ripe for new ideas, technology, and growth
1. Improving the relevance of curricula to build knowledge and skills
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All this sounds good, especially knowing that Africa is a young continent however, what can be classed as poor education, limited access to resources, cultural barriers and underdeveloped infrastructure are major obstacles that need to be addressed
Many of these businesses however are informal and couldn’t stand the winds of the world economic crisis brought about by the pandemic, and many of the young entrepreneurs were not fully educated to successfully operate their start ups.
Effective education systems align curriculum, pedagogy, and assessment, so that different elements of the system work towards a common set of educational goals Many African governments have taken steps to foster the development of more relevant skills and knowledge through competency based curriculum reform or have Despite ongoing economic challenges, many young people in Africa have shown great entrepreneurial potential and innovation overtime, and the recent
(2020 2022) Covid 19 pandemic has accelerated this even more In fact, it was during the pandemic that many people lost their jobs, while others were paid below the usual rates During this time, many young people began putting some of their skills to practice through innovative projects and the creation of small businesses in the transport, food, education (tutoring), fashion, beauty, and other related industries.
AUTHOR: Chilombo (Olga) Priscila ResearcherandEconomist@RDJConsulting
THEFUTUREOFEDUCATIONINAFRICA
With education being the primary obstacle faced by many African countries from fostering youth potential in education and economic contribution thereafter, it is important to address this matter and see how Vocational Training can play its role in all this School Enrolment and Completion UNESCO reports that in 2020 (Sub Saharan Africa), for every 100 students that start primary education, only nine students enter tertiary and only six will complete.
UNESCO further recommends four key areas that we can adopt and address to improve and protect the future of education in Africa and ensure that secondary education systems prepare youth for work thereafter
I C T & T E L E C O M M U N I C A T I O N S AUGUST, 202224
https://www africaportal org/features/rethinking secondary education africa how prepare youth future work/ https://www africaportal org/features/africa is the next big skills market but youth need education and opportunities/ http://uis.unesco.org/en/document/world needs almost 69 million new teachers reach 2030 education goals procedures and guidance, credit accumulation and transfer, bridging programs and equivalency schemes that are recognized and accredited by relevant authorities to enable more flexible pathways for students thatfacechallengesintransitioningsmoothly
3. Providing flexible pathways at scale
With the mushrooming of informal businesses having low growth potential, and owners having poor basic business skills, many young people might not be able to continue and manage successful businesses despite them yearn to do so Yet these enterprising young minds showcase a potential group that, if properly trained and empowered, can grow to contribute to Africa’s and the world’s developmentasawhole
But as always, the conversation continues at briefing@rdjpublishing.africa
Readings:
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4. Financing with equity
While the world needs almost 69 million new teachers to reach the 2030 education goals, it is estimated that Africa needs about 10 million additional secondary school teachers by 2030 to meet demand for secondary education. Due to the rapid expansion of education systems, many teachers lack necessary qualifications. Therefore, placing high quality teachers in classrooms is one of the most strategic investments a country can make to enable all students to develop the skills they will need in their working lives
This all stats by rethinking and protecting the future of education in the continent Ensuring that all young people in Sub Saharan Africa have access to secondary education that prepares them for the future of work will requiresubstantialnewresources
2. Ensuring a highly skilled teaching workforce
Therefore, UNSCO recommends flexible admission
AUGUST, 2022 25
Foundational skills in literacy, numeracy, and the language of instruction skills related to 21st century operations Digital skills STEM skills and Skills for the world of work
revised curricula to increase their relevance to national development aspirations. Avoiding curriculum overload in the reform process, as well as making complementary investments in new learning materials and teacher training, are critical for successful reform Skillsets that are critical for secondary school youth include:
Many secondary school age youth do not transition through their education in a linear manner due to political conflict, climate change, being economically disadvantaged, and other social related factors
Personal Journey As a woman playing her part to ‘reinvent our society, our culture and our world’, Hon. Theofelus has been recognized as one of BBC’s 100 inspiring and influential women of 2021 More recently, the United Nations (UN), honored her with the 2022 UN Population Award, making Hon Theofelus the youngest UN Population Award individual laureate. Hon. Theofelus holds an LLB Honours Degree from the University of Namibia (UNAM), a Diploma in Business Management from Amity University and a Diploma in Afrikan Feminism and Gender Studies from the University of South Africa. Also, as a Member of Parliament and the Deputy Minister of ICT in Namibia, Hon Theofelus plans to better communicate the activities and programs of the local government, while at the same time assisting in preparing the nation for the 4th Industrial Revolution (IR). ne of the challenges currently faced by African youth is theO
AUGUST, 202226
WOMEN IN INDUSTRY
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Interview with Hon. Emma Theofelus
Interviewed by Ms. Kina Indongo (Communications Contributor RDJ Consulting)
continuous rise in unemployment rates According to the African Development Bank, 50% of the youth in Africa will face uncertainty for employment or will be economically inactive by 2025. Through an insightful discussion with the Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) in the Republic of Namibia, Honorable Emma Theofelus, we explore the prospect of harnessing the potential of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) as a means of economic emancipation for African youth.
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AUGUST, 2022 27
“For a while now, our Ministry is trying to facilitate the ease of remuneration by foreign companies to Namibians working remotely. For example, we are exploring option to see how we can get Youtube to pay Namibians in Namibia more directly since there is an interest and growth numbers of young Namibian youtubers It is unfortunately taking longer than desired due to. the many hoops to make that a reality, through our payment systems and central banking regulations, however I am confident that we can crack it ”
The MICT in Namibia has a digital transformation agenda, that is aimed at harnessing the 4IR as an overall umbrella, as it will revolutionize how people will drive on roads, learn, travel or do business, including giving guidance on the type of businesses that will emerge in the future
“Even I have to constantly check in to see what new skill I can learn for the future because it's not always [going to be] like this in 10 years ” Said Hon Theofelus She adds by saying that “I think so far, we are on the right track. We see more and more young people embracing digital modes of communicating, doing business and learning But we really need to accelerate that potential, so that we are not left behind as a continent ” What are some of the core challenges that the youth is facing, particularly when it comes to upskilling technologically? Hon Theofelus says the first challenge in her perspective is affordability Training courses of such technical and logical nature are quite expensive. Additionally, expertise pertaining to such areas of study are not readily available on the African continent and funding students to study abroad is quite costly for governments Therefore, the first major challenge to this can be wrapped up as accessibility and affordability to quality education. Which technology through remote learning can solve almost instantaneously.
Secondly, Hon Theofelus brings in the challenge of access to gadgets and data She says that; Prior to her appointment as Deputy Minister of ICT, she served as the Junior Mayor of the City of Windhoek (2013 2014); Ambassador of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Lifeline Childline 106 (2014 2017) and the Deputy Speaker of the Youth Parliament of the Republic of Namibia (2015 2016) amongst other roles namely; National Council of Higher Education Board Member (2017 2020); Secretary General of the Student Union at the University of Namibia (2018);Legal Policy Advisor to the Namibian National Students Organization (2018 2019);Vice Chairperson Global Entrepreneurs Network Namibia Board (2018 2020); Commissioner United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Namibia (2018 2020) and Legal Officer at the Ministry of Justice (2019 2020) 4IR? How can the youth harness full potential of the 4IR? Africa is the only continent that is getting younger Every other part of the world continues to age In fact, the UN estimates a rise in the world population to 9 7 billion by 2050 Statistics further indicate that by the year 2025, Africa is expected to see a population bulge, however, a rise in youth unemployment, as well. Unfortunately, this is also a reality Namibia is already facing This is a sad reality due to the fact that the continent is trying to catch up with current and future skills, while many parts of the world have already moved on. During our discussion on this matter, Hon. Theofelus said that; “We are constantly acquiring skills that are being updated faster than we can use them, and then we must still change our systems to teach young people these skills of the future of learning, the future of work, the future of doing business ”
Therefore, it is important that everyone understands that the 4IR is here to stay and youth need to adjust to it. Hon. Theofelus urges that the young people, the ones that can easily pick up skills and transition from career to career, and as a generation in touch with what they want out of life, we should harness the 4IR as an economic emancipation tool, and learn the skills needed for the future of work.
With the emergence of the 4IR, Africa, therefore, has a chance to embrace it and use it as an opportunity for economic emancipation.
“I think with the Ministry’s digital strategy being developed as well as the cyber security strategy that we just completed, all of these are crucial public policy instruments meant to lay a foundation for both young and old everybody really to leverage technology as a way of learning and also working so we don't depend on traditional jobs. There are only so many eligible Namibians that government can absorb in terms of works and our private sector is really small compared to other private sectors in countries like South Africa or Zambia so we need to find ways to diversify our working ability and I believe technology is our way.” Said Hon. Theofelus What support do you believe would accelerate youth uptake in areas such as AI, robotics and augmented reality?
The Ministry decided to embark in this journey because it believes that Namibians can longer just depend on traditional jobs, but also be able to earn from their abilities displayed though social platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and blogging She adds that there are already some Namibians living and working in Namibia who are employed within countries abroad. Today, teleworking is a “thing” and one no longer needs to live in a country to work there. The challenge of access to gadgets, such as a phone or a laptop and affordability of internet connection should drive more participation in the 4IR
"The 4IR is going to impact us whether we want it or not. It's going to affect how the world communicates and does business, learn and solve problems we need to prepare ourselves now.'' Hon.EmmaTheofelus
What is needed is an education system that allows new and emerging technologies, that allows young people to learn the skills needed. Students should no longer experience a computer for the first time at university or for a child to be introduced to robotics, AI, Blockchains, Augmented Reality and coding only at university. Ideally children should be learning to develop their brain and abilities with computers constantly present in their lives You want to teach a 6 year old how to code so by the time they are 12 they would probably find solutions for water roll out in the country that's the aim and that's the vision.
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“I am happy to let you know that the Ministry of ICT with partners on the African continent and sister ministries are embarking on a girls coding training as a first step of having a coding academy one day in the country. Although nothing is concrete yet we are hoping to have it in the next few weeks. We are targeting 80 young girls from all over Namibia, along with We are starting with girls, not to keep the boy child out at all, but because we don't have as many girls and young women in the ICT space as we would like there to be equitable numbers. Therefore, for me it's a responsibility to find ways to mainstream girls into STEM areas especially for technology and this is why this coding training is targeting young girls I am very excited about this one ” Said Hon Theofelus There is a need to accelerate efforts to overhaul the education system to uptake new skills and for African children to learn skills that allow them to be prepared for the 4IR
“When I was younger, I joined debating, and other after school activities Through debating and public speaking, I learned very quickly to think on my feet and it teaches you to critically think and theorize how a problem would be best solved. But also thinking about the practicality of those solutions I didn't learn that in the classroom I had to learn that skill outside the classroom After my 18th birthday, I hiked the fish river canyon for 5 days with a backpack which taught me resilience, discipline and persistence These are skills you can't always learn in a classroom It has always been my hope to incorporate community involvement in learning That is why I started the bring a buddy to parliament initiative. I wanted to bring young people from all over the country to network with one another Because you cannot just be confined to your school, community, church or town that you grew up in One needs to see that there are other people and places out there and also learn something you wouldn't' otherwise learn in an environment you are familiar with and used to For me that initiative that is still ongoing is my civic responsibility of bringing young people like me into a space I have been given an opportunity to occupy I want them to believe that they too one day can become MPs but must learn to bring others along when they get into such institutions So some of these skills you can't learn in a classroom so as much as we want to change the education system to cater for everything under the sun because it would place a heavy burden on one sector of our society to teach all skills. It’s not practical to take such an approach in my opinion. Therefore through the many initiatives I take, including the programmes that we run as a Ministry, we need to use our social capital, our abilities and resources to really pass on the buck for other young people to learn skills they wouldn't have otherwise learned in a classroom. It shouldn't be left to government to do that alone, everyone one of us should find a way to teach the next ”
Said Hon Theofelus Conclusion In conclusion, The Hon. Deputy Minister says that the Ministry is currently harnessing their expertise to see how as a country Namibia can leverage the 4IR’s potential
Although, there is so much work to be done. The 4IR is here whether we are ready for it or not. She adds that although many youths face needs like basic necessities “We don't have to sacrifice one thing for another; we don't need to sacrifice our commitment to basic necessities like water and electricity in communities to turn our sole focus to the advancement in technology. We can do both things at the same time. We don't need to give up one for the other So as young people we should not wait and say that because 4IR doesn't speak to our current needs, we shouldn’t explore it The 4IR is going to impact us whether we want it or not. It's going to affect how the world communicates and does business, learn and solve problems we need to prepare ourselves now ”
Hon Theofelus believes that there is definitely interest in these areas, she thinks it is just a matter of the availability and opportunity to actually uptake these fields If someone were to open up a coding academy people will be interested
Said Hon Theofelus Finally, she adds “As young people we need to be ready to adapt and adjust when the situation calls for it. . We also need to be forward thinking and see how we can leverage opportunities available to us today for use in the future We need to prepare now otherwise we will once again be left behind I would like tp echo the words of H E President Hage G Geingob that it is not our wish as a governemnt to leave any Namibian behind. . ”
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According to the World Economic Forum, the top three skills required to thrive in 4IR include; Complex problem solving, Critical thinking. How can Namibia establish a living curriculum? Hon Theofelus says that the point of life and work is to solve problems She believes the best way to establish a living curriculum is to incorporate more than just traditional education Recounting how her own journey has enriched her critical thinking and problem solving skills
T E N D E R S C A R E E R S AUGUST, 202230 NamPower Description: Re Advertisement: Namibia Power Corporation (Pty) Ltd invites qualified, competent and registered companies for the following: Supply and delivery of single ACSR flicker conductor for the Kuiseb Sekelduin 132KV transmission lines Specifications: Supply, Delivery and Offloading of Single Flicker ACSR Conductor; Inspection of Single ACSR Flicker Conductor Bid Closing Date: 25 August 2022 Description: Supply and Delivery of Single ACSR Flicker Conductor for the Kuiseb Sekelduin 132kV Bid Closing date: 25 August 2022 Description: Supply and Delivery of Composite Insulators for Kuiseb Sekelduin 132kV Tx Lines Bid Closing date: 25 August 2022 Description: Design, manufacture, deliver, decommission, install and commission of diversion wier 380 v electrical boards at Ruacana power station Bid Closing date: 9 September 2022 Electricity Control Board Description: Bids are hereby invited for the following: Procurement of Consultancy Services to conduct a capacity needs assessment for the Electricity Control Board. Bid Closing date: 22 August 2022 The United Nations Description: Information is hereby requested for the following: Provision of e Catalogue Digital Gateway The purpose of the Request for Information (RFI) is for the United Nations (UN) to obtain the latest knowledge and information from the market with respect to potential vendors and their capabilities to provide an e catalogue solution that will simplify the identification of the most suitable materials and services available through on screen visualization Country: Global Bid Closing date: 24 August 2022 Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation Position: Psychological Counsellor Grade 8 (Keetmanshoop) Closing Date: 24 August 2022 Windhoek Country Club Resort & Casino (Legacy Hotels) Position: CASHBOOK CLERK Closing Date: 23 August 2022 Namib Mills (Pty) Ltd Position: Driver: Bus Operations Services Closing Date: 31 August 2022 Pupkewitz Megatech Position: Forklift Driver Closing Date: 24 August 2022 !Huni /Urib Holding Company (PTY) LTD Position: DIRECTOR: MINERAL ECONOMICS Closing Date: 30 August 2022 Bank of Namibia Position: Senior Software Developer (Full Stack) Grade: P2 (Paterson Grading: C4) Closing Date: 30 August 2022 Welwitchia Health Training Centre Position: Lecturer Closing Date: 22 August 2022 Swakopmund Municipality Position:Health Services & Solid Waste Management Closing Date: 22 August 2022 Spearpoint Consulting Services cc Position: Financial Administrator Closing Date: 31 August 2022 World Health Organisation Position: NATIONAL CONSULTANT ASSESS IMPLEMENTATION OF PROGRAMME BASED BUDGETING IN THE HEALTH SECTOR IN NAMIBIA Closing Date: 23 August 2022 Abt associates Position: Head of Finance, Administrative and Operations, Namibia LHSS Closing Date: 22 August 2022 Position: Finance and Administrative Assistant Closing Date: 19 August 2022
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