Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Namibia’s first female president, was sworn in on Friday, marking a historic moment for the country. The 72-year-old leader won the 2024 elections, extending the ruling SWAPO party’s 35-year grip on power. Her inauguration ceremony was attended by heads of state from various African nations, including Angola, South Africa, and Tanzania.
In a gesture of solidarity, outgoing President Nangolo Mbumba, 83, officially handed over the reins of power to Nandi-Ndaitwah. The event, which coincided with Namibia’s 35th independence anniversary, was initially set to take place at the Independence Stadium. However, rare heavy rains prompted the ceremony to be moved to State House.
As she took the oath of office, loud applause and ululations filled the room. Nandi-Ndaitwah, popularly known as NNN, acknowledged her historic election, emphasizing that Namibians had voted for her based on her competence and merit.
In her inaugural speech, she noted the progress the country had made since gaining independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990 but acknowledged that much remains to be done. “There’s a lot that needs to be done,” she said, signaling her commitment to continue working towards the country’s growth and development.
Before assuming the presidency, Nandi-Ndaitwah had served as the country’s vice president for a year. A veteran of the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO), she has been a significant political figure in Namibia for decades.
During the chaotic November elections, which were marred by logistical failures, Nandi-Ndaitwah secured 58% of the vote, triumphing over the youthful opposition party, the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), which garnered only 25.5%. Despite the challenges, Nandi-Ndaitwah’s victory underscores the continued loyalty to SWAPO, even as other Southern African liberation parties have seen their popularity decline.
A key issue that shaped the election was the country’s high unemployment rate, particularly among young people. In 2023, 44% of Namibians aged 18-34 were unemployed. Nandi-Ndaitwah has prioritized tackling this issue, announcing plans to create 500,000 jobs in the next five years. This ambitious goal would require an investment of 85 billion Namibian dollars ($4.67 billion), with agriculture, fishing, and the creative and sports industries identified as key sectors for job creation.
On the eve of her inauguration, she told South Africa’s SABC that addressing unemployment was her top priority. She also urged for political unity, highlighting the divisions that surfaced during the election period. “We can make our politics during the campaign and so on, but once it’s over, we must build Namibia together,” she emphasized.
In a moment of personal celebration, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa congratulated Nandi-Ndaitwah’s husband, a retired general and former commander of Namibia’s armed forces, who was officially given the title of “First Gentleman” following the swearing-in.
As Namibia enters a new chapter under Nandi-Ndaitwah’s leadership, the country faces both challenges and opportunities. The success of her presidency will depend on how effectively she addresses the pressing issues of unemployment and political unity, while ensuring continued stability and progress for all Namibians.
