By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
HISTORY IS made as Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah assumes office as the nation’s first female president. Her inauguration on Friday reinforces the ruling South-West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO)’s decades-long political dominance following her decisive victory in the November 2024 elections.
Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, secured 58 percent of the vote in an election marred by logistical setbacks, cementing her leadership in the uranium-rich southern African nation.
She succeeds outgoing President Hage Geingob, ensuring SWAPO’s continued hold on power since Namibia’s independence from apartheid-era South Africa in 1990.
The swearing-in ceremony in Windhoek is expected to draw a distinguished audience, including regional leaders from Angola and South Africa.
The event marks a historic moment in Namibian politics and underscores the country’s commitment to democratic transitions.
A veteran politician, Nandi-Ndaitwah has been a stalwart in SWAPO for decades. Having previously served as vice president and holding key ministerial roles—including foreign minister from 2012 to 2024—her political career is deeply rooted in Namibia’s governance.
During her time in exile in the Soviet Union during the country’s liberation struggle, she established diplomatic ties with international allies, including North Korea.
Throughout her tenure in public service, she has maintained conservative positions on social policies. She opposes abortion except in exceptional circumstances, and Namibia continues to outlaw same-sex marriage under her leadership.
These stances have sparked debate as the nation grapples with evolving societal norms.
Her electoral triumph came amid growing public discontent, particularly among young voters frustrated by economic stagnation.
The opposition Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) mounted a formidable challenge, securing 25.5 percent of the vote but failing to dismantle SWAPO’s long-standing grip on power.
A key campaign issue was Namibia’s high unemployment rate, which reached 44 percent among young people in 2023.
To tackle economic challenges, Nandi-Ndaitwah has pledged to generate 500,000 jobs over the next five years. In a pre-inauguration interview with South Africa’s SABC, she stressed the urgency of substantial investment, estimating that 85 billion Namibian dollars ($4.67 billion) would be needed to achieve her economic agenda. Key industries targeted for job creation include agriculture, fishing, and the creative and sports sectors.
Despite political divisions, she has called for national unity, urging Namibians to collaborate in addressing economic and social issues. “Campaigns are campaigns, but once they are over, we must come together to build our country,” she stated in an appeal for solidarity.
Namibia’s wealth in natural resources positions it as a key player in global markets. As one of the world’s leading uranium producers, the country supplies nuclear power industries in nations like France. Additionally, it holds significant diamond reserves and untapped oil and natural gas deposits. While the nation has been exploring renewable energy projects in solar and wind, reports suggest that Nandi-Ndaitwah remains skeptical about the sector’s viability.
Her presidency marks a watershed moment for gender representation in Namibia and sub-Saharan Africa, where female leaders remain a rarity. “It’s a good thing that we are breaking the ceiling, we are breaking the walls,” she told SABC, reflecting on the significance of her election.
As she takes office, all eyes will be on Nandi-Ndaitwah’s leadership and the policies she implements to address Namibia’s economic and social challenges while navigating the country’s political landscape.
