Namibia will make history on Friday as it swears in its first female president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, after she won the country’s election last year.
Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, secured 58 percent of the votes in the November elections, which were marked by delays due to logistical challenges.
Her victory ensures that the ruling South West Africa People’s Organisation continues its 35-year rule in the country.
She defeated the opposition Independent Patriots for Change, which got 25.5 percent of the votes despite a strong challenge.
Nandi-Ndaitwah, who was previously Namibia’s vice president, is a long-time member of SWAPO, the party that led Namibia to independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990.
Speaking about her win, she said: “Of course, it’s a good thing that we are breaking the ceiling, we are breaking the walls.”
Unemployment, especially among young people, was a major issue in the election. In 2023, 44 percent of Namibians aged 18 to 34 were unemployed.
On the eve of her inauguration, Nandi-Ndaitwah told South Africa’s SABC that creating jobs would be one of her top priorities.
“In the next five years, we must produce at least 500,000 jobs,” she said. According to her, this would require an investment of 85 billion Namibian dollars ($4.67 billion).
She identified agriculture, fishing, and the creative and sports industries as key areas for job creation.
The new president also called for national unity after political divisions emerged during the election. The opposition IPC had challenged the election results in court, but the case was dismissed.
“We can make our politics during the campaign and so on, but once it’s over, we must build Namibia together,” she urged.
Nandi-Ndaitwah, often called “NNN,” is known for her conservative views. She opposes abortion, which is illegal in Namibia except in special cases. She also supports the country’s ban on same-sex marriage.
As a young SWAPO member, she was exiled in Moscow during Namibia’s struggle for independence. She later served as the country’s foreign minister from 2012 to 2024, where she spoke about Namibia’s strong ties with North Korea.
Namibia is rich in uranium, diamonds, and oil, and it is one of the world’s top uranium producers. While the country has great potential for solar and wind energy, reports suggest Nandi-Ndaitwah has expressed doubts about its long-term viability.
Her inauguration will be attended by leaders from neighboring countries, including South Africa and Angola.
