Namibia’s first woman president takes office, vows support for Palestine, others

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has officially taken office as Namibia’s first female president, vowing to tackle youth unemployment and diversify the economy.

At 72, Nandi-Ndaitwah is now the fifth president of the southern African nation since it gained independence in 1990. Her victory in the November elections secured 58% of the vote for the ruling SWAPO party, which has governed Namibia for over three decades.

The inauguration ceremony, originally planned for Independence Stadium, was moved to State House in Windhoek due to rare heavy rainfall. The event also marked Namibia’s 35th anniversary of independence and saw the peaceful transition of power from outgoing President Nangolo Mbumba, 83.

Nandi-Ndaitwah joins a small but growing list of female leaders in Africa, alongside Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, Joyce Banda of Malawi, and Tanzania’s current president, Samia Suluhu Hassan. All three leaders attended her swearing-in.

Her presidency comes at a historic moment, as Namibia’s parliament also recently elected its first female speaker, former Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila.

In her first speech as head of state, Nandi-Ndaitwah pledged to prioritize job creation for young people and invest in key sectors such as renewable energy, agriculture, and infrastructure.

“We will increase investment in the development of infrastructure to open investment opportunities, enhance economic productivity, promote economic growth and improve the quality of life of our people,” she stated.

She also emphasized the importance of economic diversification, ensuring that Namibians benefit from the country’s natural resources through value-added industries. Additionally, she reaffirmed the government’s commitment to universal health coverage and addressing climate change, a persistent challenge for Namibia’s drought-prone environment.

On the international front, Nandi-Ndaitwah voiced her support for the self-determination of Palestinians and the people of Western Sahara.

She also called for the removal of sanctions on Cuba, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe.

Nandi-Ndaitwah has long been a prominent figure in Namibian politics. She joined SWAPO as a teenager in the 1960s and lived in exile across Africa, the former Soviet Union, and the UK during the country’s fight for independence.
Since 1990, she has served in various government roles, including as minister of environment and foreign affairs, before becoming vice president.