THE Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) and its South African counterpart, the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) will hold talks next week on youth economic empowerment issues.

The ANC Youth League delegation will be led by its controversial firebrand leader, Julius Malema.

Malema will be in the country as part of a high-level ANC delegation led by ANC president Jacob Zuma, arriving on Sunday for a three-day visit to Namibia at the invitation of the Swapo Party.

Clinton Swartbooi, the SPYL's Information Secretary, told The Namibian that discussions between the two youth wings will range from re-industrialisation to an appeal to the ANCYL to exert pressure on South African companies with Namibian branches to invest more soundly in Namibia's youth.

"We will discuss a re-industrialisation policy, particularly in the agricultural sector, where the local industry is not being fully supported.

For example, Namibia spends about N$48 million on importing fruits and vegetables, thereby investing in the South African economy instead of in our own local producers," Swartbooi said.

He argued that by having big retailers commit themselves to local producers, not only would Namibia see increased production in the agricultural sector, but also greater crop diversification.

"Agriculture is very important to household food security, and issues such as the enhanced utilisation of the Hardap and Naute Dam, and the better use of land on the rim of the Orange River in addition to dates and other crops currently being farmed, are topics that need to be explored."

Swartbooi added that during the talks with Malema and his delegation, the SPYL would implore the ANC Youth League to make a strong effort in getting South African companies to do more for youth economic empowerment in Namibia.

"We would essentially want to get their support in pressurising Namibian-based companies with their headquarters in South Africa, to also finance youth activities here.

South African companies here have shown themselves to be exclusively loyal to their home country, and only half-heartedly loyal to the host country," Swartbooi said.

He cited companies such as First National Bank, Standard Bank, Edgars, and others, who either have stadiums, host large sports indabas, or are engaged in massive youth activities in their home countries, but do not do enough for Namibian youth.

The SPYL Information Secretary stated that the issue of sustainable development in various facets, with young people at the centre of the process, would be explored.

"We will discuss the AU, in respect of its mandate and supposed drive; and how far NEPAD, as the economic organ of the AU, has come in meeting its economic and social goals."

The crises in the DRC and Zimbabwe will also form part of the discussions of the two youth wings of the ruling parties of Namibia and South Africa.

He added that their talks were not meant to overshadow the visit of the ANC delegation with the Swapo Party's leaders.

The SPYL's delegation for the meeting would be led by the league's Secretary, Elijah Ngurare, with Peya Mushelenga and Clinton Swartbooi himself making up the rest of the group.

Malema is expected to be accompanied by one or two of his lieutenants from the ANCYL.