Namibia to Inaugurate Its First Female President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah

Namibia is set to inaugurate Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as its first female president. She achieved 58 percent of the vote in the chaotic November elections. Aiming to tackle youth unemployment, Nandi-Ndaitwah plans to create 500,000 jobs in five years, emphasizing unity post-election.

Namibia is poised to inaugurate its first female president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who won the recent elections held in November. Nandi-Ndaitwah, at the age of 72, is a long-time member of the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) and previously served as the vice president. Her inauguration ceremony, to be conducted on Friday, will be attended by dignitaries from neighboring countries, including Angola and South Africa.

Nandi-Ndaitwah secured 58 percent of the vote amidst chaotic election conditions characterized by logistical delays. Her primary adversary, the opposition Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), received 25.5 percent of the votes, revealing a sustained loyalty to SWAPO amidst shifts in regional political dynamics. A significant issue during the elections was high unemployment among the youth, where 44 percent of individuals aged 18 to 34 are currently unemployed in the nation.

In her pre-inauguration remarks, Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasized that addressing youth unemployment would be a principal focus of her administration. “In the next five years, we must produce at least 500,000 jobs,” she asserted, indicating an investment requirement of 85 billion Namibian dollars ($4.67 billion). She identified critical sectors for job creation, including agriculture, fishing, and the creative and sports industries.

Moreover, she called for political unity following significant divisions that arose during the elections, stating the need to collaborate for the future of Namibia. “We can make our politics during the campaign and so on but once it’s over, we must build Namibia together,” she remarked. On her historic election, Nandi-Ndaitwah noted, “Of course it’s a good thing that we are breaking the ceiling, we are breaking the walls.”

As a conservative leader associated with strict stances on issues such as abortion, which is severely restricted in Namibia, and same-sex marriage, Nandi-Ndaitwah’s background includes a long involvement with SWAPO and a past of exile during the liberation struggle. Namibia, recognized as a significant producer of natural uranium, as well as diamonds and potential energy resources, is looking to capitalize on these industries in her tenure, despite her expressed skepticism regarding the viability of solar and wind energy sectors.

The inauguration of Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as Namibia’s first woman president marks a significant moment in the nation’s political history. Her commitment to addressing youth unemployment and fostering unity among citizens appears to be central to her agenda. With her extensive experience in government and a focus on economic growth across various sectors, Nandi-Ndaitwah’s presidency could herald pivotal changes for Namibia’s future.

Original Source: www.ecr.co.za