Namibia made history on Friday as Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was sworn in as the country’s first female president, marking a new chapter in the nation’s leadership. Her inauguration, attended by heads of state from across Africa, coincided with Namibia’s 35th independence anniversary and was relocated to State House due to rare heavy rains.
Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, won 58% of the vote in the November 2024 elections, ensuring the ruling South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) maintained its 35-year grip on power. However, controversies reportedly marred the election, with opposition parties rejecting the results over alleged irregularities.
She succeeds Nangolo Mbumba, 83, who stepped in as interim president following President Hage Geingob’s death in early 2024. In her first address as president, Nandi-Ndaitwah reaffirmed her commitment to economic development, vowing to increase investment in infrastructure to attract investors, boost productivity, and improve the quality of life for Namibians.
We will increase investment in the development of infrastructure to open investment opportunities, enhance economic productivity, promote economic growth, and improve the quality of life of our people, she stated.
She highlighted that unemployment remains a critical challenge, particularly among the youth, with 44% of 18- to 34-year-olds jobless in 2023. She pledged to revamp the agriculture sector, address urban migration, and implement universal health coverage.
Women in Leadership: ‘Elected on Merit’
A SWAPO veteran since age 14, Nandi-Ndaitwah is the first woman to lead the liberation movement and has held senior government roles since Namibia gained independence in 1990. Acknowledging her historic election, she emphasised that her victory was based on ability, not gender.
As women, we should not ask to be elected to positions of responsibility because we are women, but because we are capable members of our society,she said, drawing applause from the crowd.
Namibia is one of the world’s top uranium producers and is rich in diamonds but struggles with income inequality. Nandi-Ndaitwah pledged to bridge the economic divide and ensure more Namibians benefit from the nation’s vast natural resources.
She also reaffirmed Namibia’s stance on global issues, calling for the self-determination of Palestinians and the people of Western Sahara, as well as the lifting of sanctions on Cuba, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe.
