Namibia has just sworn in its first-ever female president. What a time to be alive!
Namibia’s new president and its first female president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, was sworn in on Friday, 21 March, marking a historic milestone for the country. Her political party, the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO), secured victory in the November elections with 57% of the total vote, a significant decline from the 87% it garnered in 2014.
A seasoned politician and long-standing member of SWAPO, Nandi-Ndaitwah has played a pivotal role in Namibia’s governance for decades. She previously served as the country’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, demonstrating her influence in both domestic and foreign affairs. In 2017, she made history as the first woman to be elected vice president of SWAPO at the party’s sixth congress. With her inauguration, she cements her place in history once again as Namibia’s first female president—and one of the few women to hold such a position on the African continent.
Though the country has seen a significant increase in economic growth over the last few years due to investments in oil, gas and green hydrogen, the World Bank says it ranks second highest globally for income inequality.
The inauguration ceremony
The inauguration ceremony, held at State House in Windhoek, was presided over by Chief Justice Peter Shivute and attended by several African leaders, highlighting the significance of the occasion. In her inaugural speech, Nandi-Ndaitwah pledged to boost investment in agriculture to strengthen food security, address economic challenges, and tackle high unemployment. She also emphasised national unity and governance reforms, reaffirming her administration’s commitment to social and economic progress.
“We pledge to the people of Namibia to diversify our economy for our people to drive maximum benefit from our country’s natural resources through value additions.” said Namibia’s first female preseident in her inauguration speech.
Her presidency represents a new chapter in Namibia’s leadership, offering an opportunity to address pressing issues such as youth unemployment, economic diversification, and gender equality. As she takes the helm, all eyes will be on how she navigates the challenges ahead while shaping Namibia’s future.
