Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah sworn in as Namibia’s first female president

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has officially taken office as Namibia’s first woman president, marking a historic moment that also extends the ruling party’s 35-year dominance. 

Her inauguration followed her victory in last year’s elections, where she secured 58 percent of the vote.

The 72-year-old leader was sworn in during a ceremony on Friday, witnessed by several African heads of state including those from Angola, South Africa, and Tanzania. 

The event, which coincided with Namibia’s 35th independence anniversary, was initially scheduled to take place at the Independence Stadium but was moved to State House due to unusually heavy rainfall.

Outgoing President Nangolo Mbumba, 83, formally handed over power during the ceremony. Loud applause and celebratory ululations greeted the moment as Nandi-Ndaitwah, popularly known as NNN, took her oath of office.

In her inaugural speech, Nandi-Ndaitwah acknowledged the symbolic importance of her election, while emphasising that she was chosen based on her capabilities. She noted that although Namibia had made progress since independence, “there’s a lot that needs to be done.”

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Before assuming the presidency, Nandi-Ndaitwah served as vice president for a year and has long been a stalwart of the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO), the liberation movement that led the country to independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990.

Her swearing-in places her among a small group of female heads of state on the African continent. 

Outgoing President Mbumba hailed the milestone, stating that Namibia is witnessing one of its “foremost daughters breaking through the glass ceiling.” He added, “It has been a long time coming.”

Despite a spirited challenge by the youthful opposition party, the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), which garnered 25.5 percent of the vote, SWAPO retained strong support at the polls. The opposition had attempted to overturn the election results in court, but the bid failed.

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