Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is positioned to become Namibia’s first female president, leading with over 58% of votes in a disputed election. Her main opponent, Panduleni Itula, contests the results due to alleged malpractice. Nandi-Ndaitwah’s potential victory would place her among Africa’s few female heads of state, while Swapo confronts challenges to its political dominance.
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, representing the governing South West Africa People’s Organisation (Swapo), appears set to become Namibia’s first female president. With over 90% of votes from the recent election counted, Nandi-Ndaitwah has claimed more than 58%, while her closest opponent, Panduleni Itula from the Independent Patriots for Change, received slightly over 25%. Following logistical issues and an extension of polling, Itula has expressed his party’s intent not to acknowledge the results, citing electoral malpractice.
Swapo, which has been in power since Namibia’s independence in 1990, played a pivotal role in the anti-apartheid movement. There were concerns preceding the election that Swapo might face challenges similar to other liberation parties in the region. For instance, the African National Congress in South Africa lost its majority earlier this year, while Botswana’s ruling party was recently ousted after decades in power.
As a seasoned politician, Nandi-Ndaitwah boasts 25 years of experience in high-level government positions, serving as vice president. Should she win, she would join Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan as the only female president in Africa, solidifying her place in an exclusive leadership group. To avoid a runoff, a candidate must secure more than 50% of the vote.
Itula, a trained dentist, has been characterized as more charismatic and made significant inroads into Swapo’s popularity during the previous 2019 election, where their vote share declined from 87% to 56%. The IPC plans to seek judicial recourse while urging citizens who experienced voting issues due to electoral commission mismanagement to report to the authorities.
In conclusion, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is poised to make history as Namibia’s first female president following her significant electoral lead. Despite allegations of electoral malpractice from her opponent, the integrity of the elections remains under scrutiny. With her vast political experience and the potential to join a rare circle of female leaders in Africa, Nandi-Ndaitwah’s victory could mark a pivotal moment for women in politics in the region. Swapo’s longstanding dominance faces challenges, raising questions about the future of political leadership in Namibia.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
