Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is set to be Namibia’s first female president, winning 57% of the vote in the recent elections. She aims to implement significant economic and agricultural reforms during her administration. With a focus on food security and efficient land use, she prepares to assume her responsibilities following Nangolo Mbumba’s brief presidency. Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasizes collaboration within her cabinet for effective governance and service delivery.
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is poised to become Namibia’s first female president, with her inauguration scheduled for Friday. Recently elected, she garnered 57% of the vote in the November 2024 election, a victory confirmed by the Supreme Court, reinforcing her leadership role in the ruling Swapo party. Nandi-Ndaitwah will succeed Nangolo Mbumba, who stepped down after a brief 13-month presidency following the death of Hage Geingob in February 2024.
Having previously served as Swapo’s vice president and minister of international relations, Nandi-Ndaitwah stated her readiness to fulfill her duties. She affirmed that the party’s preparation for her role has equipped her to govern effectively. “When the Swapo members asked me to stand as a vice-president, they were telling me exactly what was in it for me. And I said yes, I am there to serve the people of Namibia. Since then, they have been preparing me for the job which they have assigned me. So, I am prepared,” she noted.
Now President of Swapo, Nandi-Ndaitwah is the first woman to lead the party in its 65-year history. She cited the Swapo election manifesto as a guideline for her administration, which aims to address economic growth, agricultural improvements, and youth empowerment over the next five years. Her administration’s priorities will include significant legislation amendments, with crucial laws, such as the Land Act, needing prompt attention during the first parliamentary months.
The president-elect is also focused on bolstering food security, with plans to cultivate 130,000 hectares of land over her term. She emphasized that this objective encompasses both commercial and communal land, aiming to optimize land usage across Namibia. “You know our manifesto has said in the next five years we must put into production 130 000 hectares of land… I know it can be both in commercial and communal land,” she stated.
Prior to her inauguration, she inspected various agricultural projects, noting the underutilization of government-owned land. Additionally, she expressed her intention to assemble a competent cabinet dedicated to the success of her administration, balancing responsibilities across government, executive, and legislative functions, to ensure effective service delivery.
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s impending inauguration as Namibia’s first female president marks a significant milestone in the nation’s history. Her administration is poised to address pressing issues, including economic growth, food security, and effective governance. With a comprehensive manifesto guiding her plans, Nandi-Ndaitwah’s leadership promises to bring transformative changes to Namibian society. Her commitment to utilizing the nation’s resources effectively reinforces her focus on service delivery and community empowerment.
Original Source: www.namibian.com.na
