Namibia is set to make history on Friday as Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will be sworn in as the country’s first woman president, extending the ruling SWAPO party’s 35-year grip on power.
The 72-year-old veteran politician, commonly known as NNN, will take office in a grand inauguration ceremony attended by leaders from Angola, South Africa, and other neighboring countries.
Her victory in the November 2024 elections secured 58% of the vote, overcoming a strong challenge from the youthful opposition party, Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), which garnered 25.5%.
Tackling Unemployment a Top Priority
Speaking on the eve of her inauguration, Nandi-Ndaitwah vowed to tackle unemployment, a pressing issue in the country of three million people. Namibia’s youth unemployment rate stood at 44% in 2023, making job creation a key election issue.
“In the next five years, we must produce at least 500,000 jobs,” she told South Africa’s SABC, estimating that this effort would require an investment of 85 billion Namibian dollars ($4.67 billion). She highlighted agriculture, fishing, the creative arts, and sports industries as crucial sectors for economic growth.
A Lifelong SWAPO Loyalist
Nandi-Ndaitwah, a staunch SWAPO member since her teens, was exiled in Moscow during Namibia’s liberation struggle against apartheid South Africa. She previously served as foreign minister (2012-2024) and has maintained strong historical ties with North Korea.
Her election comes at a time when liberation parties across Southern Africa face declining support, yet SWAPO remains a dominant force in Namibia.
Breaking Barriers but Holding Conservative Views
As Namibia’s first female head of state, Nandi-Ndaitwah hailed the milestone as “breaking the ceiling, breaking the walls.” However, she holds conservative views on social issues, opposing abortion—which is banned in Namibia except in extreme cases—and maintaining the country’s ban on same-sex marriage.
A Resource-Rich Nation with Global Ties
Namibia, a leading uranium producer, supplies the nuclear energy sector, including France. The country is also rich in diamonds, oil, and natural gas, with hopes of expanding its resource-driven economy.
As she begins her term, President Nandi-Ndaitwah faces high expectations to revitalize the economy, create jobs, and unite a politically divided nation.
