Namibia Heads to Polls: VP Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah Aims to Make History

Namibia’s Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah stands on the brink of history as the country prepares for its seventh presidential and parliamentary elections on Wednesday, November 27. If elected, the 72-year-old leader of the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO) could become Namibia’s first female president, following in the footsteps of trailblazers like Liberia’s Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

With 1.45 million registered voters—nearly half of Namibia’s population—this election promises to be the most competitive yet, as dissatisfaction with SWAPO grows.

Also read: 2024: Africa’s Year of 20 Elections

The Candidates: Who’s Running for President?

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (SWAPO)

• Key Credentials: First female presidential candidate for SWAPO and a liberation struggle veteran.
• Campaign Promise: Create over 500,000 jobs within five years, with a focus on reducing the youth unemployment rate (currently 43%).
• Challenges: SWAPO’s declining popularity amid corruption scandals and widespread dissatisfaction among young voters. However, Nandi-Ndaitwah is seen as relatively untainted by corruption, unlike some of her party counterparts.

Panduleni Itula (Independent Patriots for Change)

• Background: Former SWAPO youth leader and dentist who garnered 29% of the vote as an independent candidate in 2019.
• Platform: Liberalizing the economy to attract foreign companies and promising economic opportunities for Namibia’s youth. Popular among younger voters.

McHenry Venaani (Popular Democratic Movement)

• Profile: Leader of Namibia’s largest opposition party, with 16 parliamentary seats. Struggled in 2019 with just 5% of the presidential vote.

Bernadus Swartbooi (Landless People’s Movement)

• Focus: Land redistribution for dispossessed Namibians, particularly targeting absentee white landowners.

Job Amupanda (Affirmative Repositioning Movement)

• Platform: Aggressive land reform and affordable housing, with promises to build 300,000 homes in five years. Appeals to younger voters frustrated by inequality and housing shortages.

Key Issues Shaping the Election

Youth Unemployment

Namibia has one of Africa’s highest youth unemployment rates, with 43% of young people jobless. Candidates have pledged sweeping reforms:

• Nandi-Ndaitwah: Plans to invest 85 billion Namibian dollars ($4.7 billion) over five years to create jobs.
• Itula: Proposes lowering corporate taxes to attract foreign companies and generate employment opportunities.

Corruption and Governance

The “Fishrot” corruption scandal exposed high-level mismanagement of fishing quotas, implicating top SWAPO officials. Although Nandi-Ndaitwah is not linked to the scandal, SWAPO faces criticism for allowing controversial figures to campaign.

Housing Crisis and Land Reform

Namibia has a severe housing shortage, with nearly half a million people living in informal settlements. Candidates differ in their approaches:

• Affirmative Repositioning Movement: Advocates for forcefully reclaiming land from absentee landlords.
• Popular Democratic Movement: Promises free land plots for citizens.
• Independent Patriots for Change: Plans to declare a state of emergency on housing.

Economic Inequality

Despite being rich in diamonds and uranium, Namibia ranks as the world’s second most unequal country after South Africa. Over 64% of the population lives below $5.50 per day, exacerbating discontent with SWAPO’s leadership.

Namibia’s Political Landscape

SWAPO has governed Namibia since its independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990. However, the party has seen its dominance wane, with its parliamentary majority falling below two-thirds for the first time in 2019.

Despite dissatisfaction, opposition parties face challenges in uniting against SWAPO. Analysts believe this disorganization could allow the ruling party to retain power.

What to Expect

• Voting Process: Approximately 1.45 million voters will cast ballots for the president and 96 parliamentary seats. Presidential candidates need more than 50% of the vote to win outright, or the top two contenders will face a runoff—an unprecedented scenario in Namibia.
• Polling Hours: Polls close at 9 PM CAT (19:00 GMT), with results expected in the days following.

A Historic Election Amid Regional Shifts

Namibia’s election comes amid sweeping political changes in Southern Africa:

• South Africa’s ANC lost its 30-year parliamentary majority.
• Botswana’s Democratic Party was unseated after 58 years in power.
• Mozambique’s disputed elections have led to deadly protests.

If Nandi-Ndaitwah secures victory, she will join a select group of African women leaders who have shattered political glass ceilings, while Namibia could set a new precedent for gender equality in leadership.