Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to Make History as Namibia’s First Female President

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will be inaugurated as Namibia’s first female president, having won the election with 57% of the vote. She succeeds Nangolo Mbumba and emphasizes her readiness to govern, focusing on economic and agricultural improvement while addressing food security. Nandi-Ndaitwah aims to implement her administration’s agenda through collaboration and legislative amendments.

President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is poised to become Namibia’s first female head of state with her inauguration as the fifth president scheduled for Friday. She secured her position by winning the presidential election in November 2024, achieving 57% of the vote, a result affirmed by the Supreme Court against opposition claims. Her main competitor, Panduleni Itula, received 26%.

Nandi-Ndaitwah succeeds Nangolo Mbumba, who stepped down after serving for 13 months, following the untimely death of Hage Geingob in February 2024. As the first Namibian woman to have served as vice president, she expressed her readiness to lead, stating she has been prepared by her party, Swapo, to serve the nation.

Elected as Swapo’s vice president in November 2022, she advanced to lead the party earlier this month, marking a significant milestone as the first female president of the long-standing movement. Her administration’s focus will be guided by the Swapo manifesto, incorporating goals for economic growth, agricultural enhancements, and youth empowerment.

Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasized her commitment to implementing the Swapo manifesto agenda, highlighting essential legal amendments necessary for effective governance. The drafting of the Land Bill, a priority for her administration, is complete and requires presentation to the National Assembly.

Food security is a critical element of Nandi-Ndaitwah’s plans, aiming to cultivate 130,000 hectares of land within five years, recognizing both commercial and communal opportunities. Her recent visits to government agricultural projects underscored the importance of utilizing underutilized land effectively.

The president-elect anticipates selecting committed cabinet members to ensure the productivity of her administration. She acknowledged the need to balance governance between the executive and legislative branches for effective service delivery, underscoring her responsibility to maintain this equilibrium in service to the Namibian populace.

As she prepares for her presidency, Nandi-Ndaitwah’s combination of experience and vision signals a significant phase for Namibia under her leadership.

In conclusion, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s upcoming inauguration as the first female president of Namibia marks a historic advancement for gender representation in the country’s leadership. Her plans to prioritize economic growth, food security, and effective governance through collaboration with her cabinet members indicate a proactive approach to addressing national challenges. With her extensive experience and a clear agenda, she is poised to lead Namibia into a new era of development and progress.

Original Source: www.namibian.com.na