Namibia has made history by swearing in Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as its first female president, marking a new chapter in the country’s political landscape. The 72-year-old leader, a veteran of the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO), took the oath of office in a ceremony filled with applause and celebration, coinciding with Namibia’s 35th Independence Anniversary.
Heads of state from across Africa, including leaders from Angola, South Africa, and Tanzania, attended the event, which was relocated from Independence Stadium to the State House due to rare heavy rains—a phenomenon Nandi-Ndaitwah attributed to climate change.
In her speech, she emphasized that her victory was not about gender but merit, stating, “Women should not seek leadership positions just because they are women, but because they are capable members of society.” She also called on other trailblazing African female leaders, including Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Liberia’s former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, to stand in recognition of their contributions.
A New Era for Namibia
A SWAPO member since she was 14 years old, Nandi-Ndaitwah has held multiple leadership roles, including deputy prime minister and minister of various portfolios. She secured a 58% victory in Namibia’s November elections, despite strong opposition from the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), which garnered 25.5% of the votes.
Unemployment remains a major concern, with 44% of young Namibians (ages 18-34) jobless in 2023. Addressing this, the new president pledged to boost investment, infrastructure, agriculture, and urban development while ensuring universal health coverage.
Global Stand and Social Policies
Nandi-Ndaitwah also used her platform to reaffirm Namibia’s stance on global issues, advocating for Palestinian and Western Sahara self-determination and calling for the lifting of sanctions on Cuba, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe.
A daughter of an Anglican pastor, she is known for her conservative stance on social issues, opposing abortion except in extreme cases and maintaining Namibia’s ban on same-sex marriage.
As the second woman currently leading an African country, alongside Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Nandi-Ndaitwah’s leadership signals a new era for Namibia—one of resilience, growth, and breaking political barriers.
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