Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has officially taken office as Namibia’s first female president, marking a historic moment for the nation.
The 72-year-old leader won the November election with over 57% of the vote, defeating her closest rival, Panduleni Itula, who secured 26%, according to the country’s electoral commission.
With her inauguration, Nandi-Ndaitwah joins the ranks of influential African female leaders, including Liberia’s Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Malawi’s Joyce Banda, and Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Notably, Sirleaf and Banda—both former leaders—alongside Tanzania’s sitting president, attended the swearing-in ceremony.
Outgoing President Nangolo Mbumba, 83, formally handed over power during the event, which coincided with Namibia’s 35th Independence Day celebration.
In her inaugural speech, Nandi-Ndaitwah outlined her commitment to strengthening the economy, generating employment, and promoting national unity. She emphasized plans to expand job opportunities in key sectors such as agriculture, fishing, and the creative and sports industries.
Speaking about her historic win, she told SABC, “Of course, it’s a good thing that we are breaking the ceiling, we are breaking the walls.”
Namibia, a significant player in the global uranium market, ranks among the world’s top producers of the radioactive metal, which it exports to nuclear power-producing nations, including France.
