Five Essential Facts About Namibia’s First Woman President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will be inaugurated as Namibia’s first woman president. A longtime member of SWAPO, she won the November 2024 elections with a 58% vote. With extensive government experience, she assumes leadership at age 72 and advocates conservative social views. Her past includes time in exile in Russia and support for North Korea.

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, known as NNN, is set to become the first female president of Namibia during her inauguration on Friday. This milestone positions her among a select group of female leaders in Africa. Namibia, with a population of approximately three million, is recognized for its stability and mineral wealth.

Nandi-Ndaitwah is a long-established member of the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO), which has been the ruling party since Namibia gained independence in 1990. Her victory in the November 2024 elections, where she garnered 58 percent of the votes, reflects SWAPO’s political influence. She joined the party as a teenager, contributing significantly to the struggle for independence and holding several important positions within the organization.

Her political career began in 1990, gaining her first cabinet minister role in 2000, overseeing the ministry for women and children. Throughout her career, she has held various ministerial positions, including minister of information, environment and tourism, and foreign affairs. Notably, she became the vice president in February 2024, marking her as the first woman in this role in Namibia.

At 72 years old, born in October 1952, Nandi-Ndaitwah will assume office for a five-year term. She leads a young nation, with over 70 percent of the population under the age of 34, according to the most recent census. Her predecessor, Nangolo Mbumba, was 83 years old when he assumed the presidency following the death of Hage Geingob, aged 82.

Nandi-Ndaitwah espouses conservative views on various social issues. Coming from an Anglican background, she holds traditional beliefs regarding abortion, which remains illegal in most circumstances in Namibia. Under her leadership, SWAPO voted against the legalization of gay marriage in 2023.

Her political journey also included a phase of exile in the 1970s, initially in Zambia and later in Russia, where she was affiliated with the Komsomol, a youth organization from the Soviet era. Furthermore, she has publicly expressed support for North Korea, a country that has been involved in constructing several buildings in Namibia’s capital.

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s inauguration as Namibia’s first female president represents a significant moment in the country’s political history. With a long-standing affiliation with SWAPO and extensive governmental experience, she is poised to lead a predominantly young population with conservative social values. As she assumes office, Nandi-Ndaitwah’s leadership will likely continue to reflect both her political roots and her personal convictions.

Original Source: www.enca.com