Namibia Prepares for Inauguration of Its First Woman President
Namibia will inaugurate its first woman president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, on Friday. At 72, she has previously served as vice president and secured 58% of the vote in the chaotic elections. Key challenges faced include high youth unemployment, which she has vowed to address by creating 500,000 jobs. Nandi-Ndaitwah’s conservative policies are significant in a nation rich in natural resources but facing political divisions.
Namibia is poised to inaugurate its first woman president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, on Friday. Her election last year solidified the ruling party, SWAPO’s, dominance which has persisted for 35 years. At 72 years old, Nandi-Ndaitwah is one of the few female leaders in Southern Africa and previously held the position of vice president. The inauguration will be attended by state leaders from neighboring countries, including Angola and South Africa.
Nandi-Ndaitwah, affectionately referred to as NNN, secured 58 percent of the vote in tumultuous elections held in November. Despite logistical issues that caused significant delays, her election demonstrated continued loyalty to SWAPO, with the main opposition party, IPC, acquiring only 25.5 percent of the vote. A notable concern during the elections was the high unemployment rate among the youth, with a staggering 44 percent of individuals aged 18 to 34 being unemployed in a nation of approximately three million.
Emphasizing her commitment to combating unemployment, Nani-Ndaitwah stated that her administration aims to generate at least 500,000 jobs within the next five years. This goal will necessitate substantial investments of 85 billion Namibian dollars, approximately $4.67 billion. She specifically identified agriculture, fishing, and the creative as well as sports industries as vital sectors for job creation.
Following the election, Nandi-Ndaitwah urged for unity within the political landscape, reflecting on the divisions observed during the election period. “We can make our politics during the campaign and so on but once it’s over, we must build Namibia together,” she remarked. On her groundbreaking election, she expressed, “Of course it’s a good thing that we are breaking the ceiling, we are breaking the walls.”
A member of SWAPO since her youth, Nandi-Ndaitwah has maintained conservative views, opposing abortion laws in Namibia and promoting traditional values against same-sex marriage. Her political background includes a period of exile in Moscow during the liberation movement, and she previously served as foreign minister from 2012 to 2024, where she acknowledged good relations with North Korea.
Namibia holds a significant position as one of the world’s largest natural uranium producers, essential for global nuclear energy production, primarily supplying France. Furthermore, the nation is rich in diamonds and has promising prospects in the natural gas and oil sectors, alongside its potential for renewable energy, although concerns regarding the viability of solar and wind energy initiatives have been expressed by Nandi-Ndaitwah.
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s upcoming inauguration as Namibia’s first woman president represents a significant milestone for the nation and marks a notable achievement for female leadership in Southern Africa. Her administration’s focus on addressing youth unemployment reflects the urgent economic challenges facing Namibia. Nandi-Ndaitwah’s conservative values and commitment to unity signal her approach to governance in a politically fragmented landscape. Recognizing the country’s rich natural resources, her policies may also influence Namibia’s economic trajectory.
Original Source: www.ecr.co.za
