Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was sworn in as Namibia’s first female president. A veteran of the SWAPO party, she secured 58% of the votes in the November 2024 elections. With a long political career, she has held multiple key ministerial roles and became the first woman vice president in 2024. At 72, she leads a youthful nation while holding conservative views on social issues. Nandi-Ndaitwah spent 15 years in exile and studied extensively abroad, shaping her political perspective.
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, known as NNN, was sworn in as Namibia’s first woman president on a recent Friday. Namibia has been independent for 35 years, and under the leadership of Nandi-Ndaitwah, who has a long history with the ruling party, SWAPO, the nation continues to thrive. In the November 2024 elections, she secured her position with 58 percent of the vote, reflecting her party’s strong influence since independence in 1990.
Having joined SWAPO at the age of 14, Nandi-Ndaitwah has seen a long and distinguished political career. She entered the national assembly in 1990 and was first appointed as a cabinet minister in 2000, holding various portfolios including women’s and children’s affairs, information, environment, tourism, and foreign affairs. As of February 2024, she became the first woman vice president in Namibia’s history, showcasing her trailblazing role in government.
At 72 years old, Nandi-Ndaitwah will serve a five-year term leading a youthful nation, where over 70 percent of the population is under 34. She succeeds 83-year-old Nangolo Mbumba who took over following Hage Geingob’s passing at age 82. This demographic dynamic presents both challenges and opportunities for her administration.
Nandi-Ndaitwah’s conservative stance on social issues reflects her background as the daughter of an Anglican pastor. In a predominantly Christian nation, she holds traditional views, having opposed same-sex marriage legislation in 2023, and endorses stringent abortion laws.
Her life story is shaped by significant experiences during periods of exile. After leaving Namibia at 21 in 1974, she spent time in Zambia, Tanzania, and Russia, where she engaged with the Komsomol, a Soviet youth organization. She furthered her education overseas, acquiring a post-graduate diploma from Glasgow College of Technology in 1987 and a master’s degree in diplomatic studies from Keele University in 1989.
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s rise to the presidency of Namibia marks a significant milestone as the country’s first female leader. Her extensive political experience, coupled with her conservative views, shapes her governance in a nation with a youthful population. The interplay between her political history, education, and beliefs will be crucial as she navigates the challenges of leading Namibia towards a progressive future.
Original Source: www.enca.com
