Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will be inaugurated as Namibia’s first female president, having won 57% of the vote in the November 2024 election. She succeeds Nangolo Mbumba and emphasizes food security and economic growth as priority areas for her administration. Nandi-Ndaitwah is committed to legislative reforms and effective governance to adequately serve Namibia.
President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will make history as Namibia’s first female head of state upon her inauguration as the country’s fifth president on Friday. She secured her victory in the November 2024 election with 57% of the vote, as confirmed by the Supreme Court, which dismissed opposition claims regarding the election outcome. Her closest competitor, Panduleni Itula, garnered 26% of the votes.
Nandi-Ndaitwah succeeds Nangolo Mbumba, who served as president for 13 months after completing the term of Hage Geingob, who passed away in office earlier this year. As a distinguished political figure, Nandi-Ndaitwah previously held the position of vice president and is the first Namibian woman to do so. She expressed that she is prepared for this new role, having been groomed by her party, Swapo, to serve the nation effectively.
Elected as Swapo’s vice president in November 2022, Nandi-Ndaitwah now leads the party, becoming its first female president in its 65-year history. Her administration will focus on the party’s manifesto, which includes initiatives aimed at economic growth, agricultural improvements, youth empowerment, decent housing, and infrastructure development over the next five years.
Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasized her readiness to enact the necessary legislative changes to implement her administration’s goals, particularly concerning the Land Act. She anticipates addressing legislative amendments soon to facilitate these programs.
During her preparations for office, she highlighted food security as a priority, aiming to put 130,000 hectares of both commercial and communal land into production. Her recent visits to various government projects have reinforced her commitment to utilizing underused resources effectively.
The president-elect has voiced her ambition to assemble a competent cabinet dedicated to advancing her administration’s agenda while ensuring service delivery is prioritized. She recognized the challenge of managing resources amidst a growing population, affirming her responsibility to balance government and legislative functions for optimal outcomes.
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s inauguration as Namibia’s first female president marks a significant milestone in the country’s political landscape. Her leadership aspirations, driven by comprehensive strategies outlined in Swapo’s manifesto, emphasize economic and agricultural initiatives while prioritizing food security. Through legislative reforms and effective cabinet selection, she aims to enhance service delivery and fulfill her mandate as head of state, reflecting her commitment to serving the people of Namibia.
Original Source: www.namibian.com.na
