Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has been inaugurated as Namibia’s first woman president. A veteran of SWAPO, she won the November 2024 election with 58 percent of votes. With a long career in government, she served in various ministries and was named vice president in February 2024. At 72, she leads a youthful nation, holds conservative views, and has an academic background from the UK and Russia.
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was inaugurated as Namibia’s first woman president on Friday. Namibia, a nation that gained independence 35 years ago, is home to approximately three million people, and Nandi-Ndaitwah’s leadership comes at a significant time for the stable, mineral-rich country.
As a seasoned member of the ruling South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO), Nandi-Ndaitwah has been a dedicated party loyalist since she joined at the age of 14, during the independence struggle. Her political prominence rose as she won 58 percent of votes in the November 2024 elections, underlining her longstanding affiliation with SWAPO, which has governed Namibia since 1990.
Her involvement in government began with her election to the national assembly in 1990, and she has held numerous ministerial positions, including those overseeing women’s affairs, information, environment, tourism, and foreign affairs. In February 2024, she achieved a historic milestone by being named the first female vice president of Namibia.
At 72 years old, born in October 1952, Nandi-Ndaitwah brings a wealth of experience to her presidency, particularly as she leads a country where over 70 percent of the population is younger than 34, according to the 2023 census. She succeeds the 83-year-old Nangolo Mbumba, who assumed office after the passing of Hage Geingob.
Known for her conservative perspectives, Nandi-Ndaitwah has voiced traditional views on matters such as abortion laws and same-sex marriage, the latter of which SWAPO opposed in 2023. Her background as an Anglican pastor’s daughter influences her stance on various socio-political issues.
Her early life included 15 years in exile starting in 1974, during which she resided in Zambia, Tanzania, and the Soviet Union. In Russia, she joined the Komsomol youth organization, and furthered her education with a post-graduate diploma in public administration from Glasgow College of Technology in 1987, and a master’s degree in diplomatic studies from Keele University in 1989.
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s presidency marks a significant chapter for Namibia as she becomes the first woman to lead the nation. Her extensive experience in government, rooted in her loyalty to the SWAPO party, positions her uniquely to govern a youthful population. Despite her conservative views, her leadership may pave the way for progressive discussions in the future, particularly as Namibia continues to evolve.
Original Source: www.enca.com
