In a defining moment for Namibian and African history, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was officially sworn in as Namibia’s first female president on Friday, pledging sweeping reforms to address the country’s rising unemployment, economic inequality, and dependence on raw resource exports.
The 72-year-old veteran of the liberation struggle follows in the footsteps of trailblazers like Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia and Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, becoming only the second directly elected female head of state in Africa.
Her inauguration, which coincided with the 35th anniversary of Namibia’s independence, was attended by seven sitting and nine former African presidents, including Tanzania’s President Hassan and Liberia’s Sirleaf, in a show of continental solidarity and pride.
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“Namibians Elected Me for My Competence”
Speaking under cloudy skies in Windhoek after rare rains moved the ceremony from a stadium to the presidential office, President Nandi-Ndaitwah acknowledged the symbolic weight of her election but insisted that her leadership would be judged on merit.
“While I am proud to be the first woman elected to this office, Namibians have chosen me not only for symbolism but because of my capacity to lead,” she said.
She called on the nation to unite, urging all citizens to “build Namibia together” following a fiercely contested election in which opposition parties, particularly the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), challenged SWAPO’s longstanding dominance.
Priorities: Job Creation and Economic Diversification
A central pillar of Nandi-Ndaitwah’s inaugural address was her plan to create 500,000 jobs within five years, targeting the 44% youth unemployment rate recorded in 2023. The ambitious initiative will require an estimated N$85 billion (US$4.67 billion) investment.
Key sectors for this employment drive include:
- Agriculture and fisheries
- Creative industries and sports
- Local processing of mineral resources
“We will increase investments in agriculture to improve food security and reduce imports. Our youth must be central to this transformation,” she affirmed.
She also pledged to strengthen value addition to Namibia’s vast mineral and energy resources, notably in green hydrogen, to ensure that citizens “derive maximum benefit from our natural wealth”.
Combating Inequality and Corruption
Despite recent economic growth driven by foreign investment in energy, Namibia remains one of the world’s most unequal countries, second only to South Africa in income disparity, according to World Bank data.
The president promised decisive action to address this challenge:
“We must preserve the gains of independence and fight inequality with the same vigour we fought colonialism.”
She committed to upholding ethical governance, transparency in public service, and rooting out corruption—factors that have eroded public trust in recent years and contributed to the decline in SWAPO’s electoral support, which fell from 87% in 2014 to 58% in 2024.
Historic Background and Pan-African Commitments
Born the ninth of 13 children, Nandi-Ndaitwah joined SWAPO’s liberation movement at age 14. Her life in exile took her across Zambia, the Soviet Union, the UK, and Tanzania, where she acquired training that shaped her diplomatic and political career.
Having served as Foreign Minister, Vice President, and now President, she is one of Namibia’s most experienced leaders.
Beyond national concerns, she reaffirmed Namibia’s commitment to Pan-African solidarity and international justice, calling for:
- Palestinian and Sahrawi self-determination
- An end to sanctions on Cuba, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe
- Greater regional integration and climate action, critical for a country battling recurring droughts
A Vision for Unity and Progress
Despite political tensions during the election, Nandi-Ndaitwah extended a message of reconciliation:
“Our politics may divide us during campaigns, but our future must unite us.”
Her inauguration also coincided with the election of Namibia’s first female Speaker of Parliament, marking a profound shift in the nation’s political landscape and signalling progress toward gender equality in governance.
The Road Ahead
With a population of just over 3 million and vast natural resources, Namibia has the potential to emerge as a beacon of sustainable development in Southern Africa.
But Nandi-Ndaitwah faces a monumental task: reviving an economy plagued by inequality, managing expectations as the country’s first female president, and upholding the legacy of SWAPO while charting a new course for inclusive prosperity.
In her words:
“The task ahead is to finish the agenda of economic freedom. It will not be easy, but it is necessary.”
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