On Friday, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was sworn in as Namibia’s first female president, marking a historic moment in the country’s leadership nearly six decades after she joined the fight for independence from apartheid South Africa. At 72 years old, Nandi-Ndaitwah ascends to the highest office in the land after winning the presidential election in November, becoming one of the few female leaders across Africa, joining the ranks of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, Joyce Banda of Malawi, and Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania.
Nandi-Ndaitwah’s inauguration was attended by several prominent African leaders, including former presidents Sirleaf and Banda, along with current Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan. The ceremony, initially set to take place in a packed soccer stadium to celebrate Namibia’s 35th independence anniversary, was moved to the official presidential office due to heavy rains.
In her inaugural speech, Nandi-Ndaitwah pledged to uphold the country’s constitution and reaffirmed her commitment to preserving the gains of Namibia’s independence. “The task facing me as the fifth president of the Republic of Namibia is to preserve the gains of our independence on all fronts and to ensure that the unfinished agenda of economic and social advancement of our people is carried forward with vigor and determination to bring about shared, balanced prosperity for all,” she said.
The ceremony also marked the transition of leadership in Namibia, as Nandi-Ndaitwah succeeds Nangolo Mbumba, who had been serving as acting president since February 2024 following the death of President Hage Geingob. Nandi-Ndaitwah had been promoted to vice president after Geingob’s passing.
Namibia, located in southwestern Africa, has a population of just over 3 million people. The country gained independence from South Africa in 1990, after years of guerrilla warfare led by the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO), which has governed the country ever since.
A seasoned member of SWAPO, Nandi-Ndaitwah has had a long history of public service, dating back to her teenage years when she joined the movement in the 1960s. She spent time in exile in countries such as Zambia, Tanzania, the former Soviet Union, and the United Kingdom. Since Namibia’s independence, she has served as a lawmaker and held various prominent positions, including foreign minister and, most recently, vice president.
Nandi-Ndaitwah’s presidency is expected to continue Namibia’s commitment to key international causes. She expressed her dedication to promoting good governance, high ethical standards in public institutions, and regional cooperation within southern Africa. Additionally, she reaffirmed Namibia’s stance in advocating for the self-determination of Palestine and Western Sahara and continued support for the lifting of sanctions against Cuba, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe.
A key priority for her administration is addressing the growing threat of climate change, which poses a serious challenge to Namibia, an arid country often plagued by droughts. As president, she has committed to ensuring Namibia plays an active role in combating climate change on the global stage.
In another historic first, Nandi-Ndaitwah’s inauguration came a day after Namibia’s Parliament elected its first female speaker, further marking a breakthrough in gender equality within the country’s political landscape.
As Namibia’s new leader, Nandi-Ndaitwah is set to lead the country into its next chapter, balancing the preservation of its hard-won independence with the pressing need for social and economic development.
