Windhoek: Namibia’s president-elect, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, will be sworn in in Windhoek on Friday, marking the beginning of the first female presidency in the country’s history. The inauguration will take place at the Independence Stadium, coinciding with Namibia’s 35th anniversary of independence.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the event will see several heads of state and government in attendance, including Angolan head of state Joo Louren§o. This traditional act holds significant importance for Namibia, as Nandi-Ndaitwah becomes the fifth person to lead the nation.
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah secured victory in the November general election, receiving 57% of the votes from 2 million voters. This election was anticipated to be challenging for the SWAPO party, which has held power for 35 years. She will succeed interim President Nangolo Mbumba, who stepped in following the passing of Head of State Hage Geingob in February 2024. Her main rival, Panduleni Itula of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), garnered 25.50% of the vote.
A significant challenge for the new president, highlighted during her campaign, is to attract investment through political diplomacy and create over 250,000 jobs in five years. She emphasized a focus on reducing the high unemployment rate among young people, proposing investments in green energy, agriculture, and infrastructure as solutions.
While the press has not yet received details about the inauguration program, some delegations are anticipated to arrive on Wednesday, with most guests expected the following day to witness the historic event.
Namibia, with a population of about three million, is a politically stable country. Classified by the World Bank as an upper-middle-income nation, it still faces issues such as unemployment and housing. Nandi-Ndaitwah, born October 29, 1952, has a distinguished career in diplomacy and politics, having served as Namibia’s Vice President and as Minister of Foreign Affairs. She was the first woman elected as Vice President of SWAPO in 2017 and is a 72-year-old married mother of three.
