Namibia has made history with the election of Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as the country’s first female president.
The announcement of the results on December 3, 2024, confirmed Nandi-Ndaitwah’s commanding victory, securing over 57% of the vote and surpassing the required majority to claim the presidency.
Nandi-Ndaitwah, who served as Namibia’s vice president and was the candidate of the long-standing and dominant SWAPO party, emerged victorious in a hard-fought election. Her success marks a significant moment not only for Namibia but also for gender equality across Africa. As the first woman to hold the highest office in Namibia, Nandi-Ndaitwah’s election represents a powerful step forward for women in leadership roles on the continent.
A seasoned politician and diplomat, Nandi-Ndaitwah has a long history of public service. Having held key positions, including the role of Namibia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, she is widely regarded as a highly experienced leader. Her rise to the presidency is seen as the culmination of years of dedicated work in both domestic and international spheres.
The election of Nandi-Ndaitwah was widely celebrated as a historic achievement, particularly in a region where women’s political representation has often lagged behind that of men. Her victory sends a strong message about the importance of empowering women and promoting gender equality in African politics. Many are hopeful that under her leadership, Namibia will continue to build on its progress in areas such as economic development, social equality, and regional cooperation.
In her victory speech, Nandi-Ndaitwah expressed gratitude to the Namibian people for placing their trust in her and vowed to work tirelessly to improve the country’s economic and social conditions. She promised to focus on pressing issues such as job creation, youth unemployment, and addressing the challenges posed by climate change.
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“This is a victory not just for me but for all the people of Namibia,” she said, highlighting the importance of unity and collective progress.
Her leadership is expected to usher in a new era for Namibia, with an emphasis on sustainability, economic growth, and regional integration. As the leader of the SWAPO party, Nandi-Ndaitwah has the support of a large portion of the electorate, and her presidency is expected to continue Namibia’s tradition of stability and progress since the country’s independence in 1990.
The election of Nandi-Ndaitwah is also seen as an important step for the broader Southern African region, where many countries are looking to improve gender representation in political leadership. With her inauguration, Namibia becomes a beacon of progress in a continent that is slowly but steadily embracing greater gender equality.