Youth unemployment and property crime in Namibia: A case of Samora Machel constituency

Abstract

This study was an attempt at understanding the extent to which youth unemployment contributes to increases in property crimes in Samora Machel constituency of the CoW, Khomas Region, Namibia. The objectives of the study were: to find out how youth unemployment contributes to increases in property crime; to identify challenges in addressing youth unemployment and property crime and lastly, to make suggestions on how to address youth unemployment and property crime in Samora Machel constituency. The study followed a qualitative approach and primary data was collected through the use of telephonic interviews and the administering of questionnaires and secondary data was collected through the review of scholarly articles and relevant literature. The data was then analyzed through themes and presented through the use of narratives, pie-charts and tables.The study found that youth unemployment tops the list of factors that contribute to increases in property crime but besides that there is a myriad of other factors including alcohol and drug abuse and poverty.Additionally, the study found several challenges in addressing the problem and these include rapid population growth, high incidence of school dropouts as well as poverty. The study concluded that addressing the problem requires a multi-sectoral approach bringing Government and private sectors together in finding solutions to the phenomenon. Consequently, the study made some recommendations including: the establishment of vocational training centers, extension of the NYCS for income generating projects as well as the building of sports and recreational facilities in the area. The study contributes in filling the gap in literature and increasing knowledge in the area of youth unemployment and property crime in Namibia