Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah Sworn In as Namibia’s First Female President

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has been inaugurated as Namibia’s first female president, extending the ruling SWAPO party’s 35-year hold on power. The 72-year-old leader took office in a ceremony attended by African heads of state, marking the country’s 35th independence anniversary.

Nandi-Ndaitwah, previously vice president, secured 58 percent of the vote in November’s election, despite logistical challenges. She emphasized her election was based on competence, not just historic significance.

“There’s still much to be done,” she said, acknowledging progress since independence.

High unemployment, particularly among youth, was a central campaign issue. With 44 percent of 18- to 34-year-olds jobless in 2023, she pledged to create 500,000 jobs over the next five years, focusing on agriculture, fishing, and the creative and sports industries.

Outgoing President Nangolo Mbumba called her victory a breakthrough, saying, “It has been a long time coming.” The opposition Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), which contested the election results in court, took 25.5 percent of the vote but failed to overturn the outcome.

Nandi-Ndaitwah urged unity, stating, “We can debate during campaigns, but once elections are over, we must build Namibia together.”