Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is set to become Namibia’s first woman president. A long-time member of SWAPO, she secured 58 percent of the vote in the recent elections. With a government career spanning over three decades, she has held significant positions, including vice president. At 72, she leads a young nation with conservative views on critical social issues following her exile experience in the 1970s.
On Friday, Namibia will witness the inauguration of Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as the country’s first female president, marking a significant milestone in African leadership. As a member of the ruling South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO), she boasts an extensive history within the party, having joined its ranks as a teenager during Namibia’s independence struggle. Nandi-Ndaitwah won the November 2024 elections with a noteworthy 58 percent of the vote.
Nandi-Ndaitwah’s government career has spanned over three decades; she became a member of the national assembly in 1990 and was appointed as a cabinet minister in 2000, overseeing the women’s and children ministry. Her experience extends to roles as minister of information, environment and tourism, and foreign affairs. In February 2024, she made history by becoming the first woman to serve as vice president of Namibia.
At 72 years old, Nandi-Ndaitwah will assume office for a term of five years, leading a young population where over 70 percent are under 34 years, based on the 2023 census. She succeeds the 83-year-old Nangolo Mbumba, who took office in February 2024 after the passing of Hage Geingob at the age of 82.
Nandi-Ndaitwah’s views are considered conservative, particularly regarding sensitive topics such as abortion—largely illegal in Namibia—and her party’s opposition to gay marriage, which was evident in their 2023 vote against it.
During the 1970s, she went into exile, spending time in Zambia and later in Russia, where she became active in the Komsomol, a Soviet-era communist youth organization. Additionally, she has voiced support for North Korea, which has contributed to infrastructure in Namibia’s capital.
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s inauguration as Namibia’s first female president represents a pivotal moment for female leadership in Africa. With a deep-rooted history in the SWAPO party and a diverse government career, Nandi-Ndaitwah is poised to navigate political and social challenges in a youthful nation. Her conservative stance on various issues, coupled with her unique background, will influence her governance as she leads Namibia into its next chapter.
Original Source: www.enca.com
