Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has officially been sworn in as Namibia’s first female president. At 72 years old, Nandi-Ndaitwah secured victory in November’s election with over 57% of the vote, leaving her closest rival, Panduleni Itula, with 26%, according to the electoral commission.
Her swearing-in places her among a select group of female leaders in Africa, joining the ranks of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, Joyce Banda of Malawi, and Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania. Sirleaf, Banda (former leaders of their countries), and current Tanzanian President Hassan were all present at Nandi-Ndaitwah’s inauguration.
At the ceremony, outgoing President Nangolo Mbumba, 83, handed over power to Nandi-Ndaitwah, coinciding with Namibia’s 35th independence anniversary. In her inaugural speech, Nandi-Ndaitwah vowed to focus on boosting Namibia’s economy, creating jobs, and promoting unity in a politically divided country. She outlined plans to expand employment opportunities in key sectors such as agriculture, fishing, and the creative and sports industries.
Reflecting on her historic election as the country’s first female president, Nandi-Ndaitwah remarked to SABC, “Of course it’s a good thing that we are breaking the ceiling, we are breaking the walls.”
Namibia, one of the world’s leading natural uranium producers, plays a crucial role in supplying the radioactive metal to countries generating nuclear power, including France.