Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah Sworn In as Namibia’s First Female President

Namibia welcomes its first female president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who was sworn in during the country’s 35th independence day. The ceremony, attended by various African leaders, saw her outline priorities such as job creation amidst high youth unemployment, and called for national unity post-election. Nandi-Ndaitwah’s election marks a significant milestone for women’s representation in African political leadership.

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has been inaugurated as Namibia’s first female president, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s leadership. This event coincided with the 35th independence day of Namibia and was witnessed by numerous heads of state from across Africa, including representatives from Angola, South Africa, and Tanzania.

At the ceremony, outgoing President Nangolo Mbumba officially transferred power to Nandi-Ndaitwah, amidst heavy rains that necessitated a change of venue from Independence Stadium to State House. The event was met with enthusiastic applause as she took her oath of office, embraced affectionately by her supporters.

In her inaugural address, Nandi-Ndaitwah highlighted her groundbreaking election as a reflection of her competence, stating that while progress has been made since independence, “there’s a lot that needs to be done.” With a political background as a veteran of the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) and having served as vice president for a year, she expressed her commitment to furthering national development.

Nandi-Ndaitwah garnered 58 percent of the vote in the recent elections, despite the presence of strong competition from the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), which secured 25.5 percent of the votes. This outcome signifies the continued support for SWAPO amidst challenges from other political factions in the region, reflecting a complex political landscape.

Addressing urgent issues like youth unemployment, which affects 44 percent of young Namibians, Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasized job creation as a priority for her administration. “In the next five years we must produce at least 500,000 jobs,” she declared, outlining an investment requirement of 85 billion Namibian dollars ($4.67 billion) primarily in the agriculture, fishing, and creative sectors.

Furthermore, she called for national unity in the light of political divisions that arose during the elections, advocating for collective efforts to build a stronger Namibia post-campaign. Nandi-Ndaitwah’s ascent to the presidency is seen as a breakthrough in gender representation in leadership positions in Africa.

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s inauguration as Namibia’s first female president represents a historic achievement for gender equality in political leadership. Her commitment to addressing pressing challenges such as youth unemployment underscores her focus on national development. As she embarks on this important role, her calls for unity and cooperation amid political divisions will be crucial for the country’s progress in the years to come.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com