Namibia has made history by inaugurating its first woman president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who was sworn in on Friday in a ceremony attended by African leaders, marking a significant milestone for gender representation in the country’s leadership.
Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, a veteran of the ruling South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO), takes over from Nangolo Mbumba, extending the party’s 35-year rule. The inauguration coincided with Namibia’s 35th independence anniversary and was relocated from Independence Stadium to State House due to rare heavy rains.
Applause and ululations filled the air as NNN, as she is popularly known, took the oath of office, securing her place as one of Africa’s few female heads of state. She won the November 2024 election with 58% of the vote, despite significant logistical challenges that led to delays.
“We are living a historic moment,” said businesswoman Monica Geingos, wife of late President Hage Geingob, who died in office in 2024. Former South African Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka hailed the occasion as “an exciting day for Africa,” calling Nandi-Ndaitwah a role model for women across the continent.
Challenges Ahead: Unemployment and Economic Growth
Despite facing a strong challenge from the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), which secured 25.5% of the vote, SWAPO retained power, proving its resilience even as other Southern African liberation movements lose ground.
With youth unemployment at 44% in 2023, job creation is a top priority for the new president. “In the next five years, we must produce at least 500,000 jobs,” she told South Africa’s SABC, outlining key sectors such as agriculture, fishing, and the creative industries. This ambitious target would require 85 billion Namibian dollars ($4.67 billion) in investment.
She also called for national unity, urging citizens to move past political divisions after the IPC unsuccessfully challenged the election results in court. “We can make our politics during the campaign, but once it’s over, we must build Namibia together,” she said.
A Conservative Leader With Global Ties
A staunch conservative, Nandi-Ndaitwah, the daughter of an Anglican pastor, has maintained strict views on abortion, which remains illegal in Namibia except in exceptional circumstances. Same-sex marriage is also banned.
A longtime SWAPO member, she was exiled in Moscow during Namibia’s liberation struggle and later served as foreign minister from 2012 to 2024, strengthening ties with countries like North Korea.
Namibia, a sparsely populated nation with vast uranium, diamond, and natural gas reserves, plays a key role in the global nuclear energy industry, supplying uranium to countries like France. With oil exploration projects underway, Nandi-Ndaitwah’s presidency will be crucial in shaping the country’s economic future.
As Namibia’s first female head of state, her leadership marks a historic shift, but the road ahead will be defined by how effectively she tackles economic challenges, political unity, and social issues in the years to come.
