Breaking Barriers: Namibia’s First Female President Inspires Change
Namibia has made history by electing Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as its first female president in the 2024 general elections. Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, secured 57.68% of the votes, representing the ruling SWAPO party, which has been in power since the country’s independence in 1990.
This marks a significant milestone in Namibian politics and makes her only the second female head of state currently serving in Africa, alongside Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan.
The election was not without controversy, as opposition parties criticized the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) over logistical challenges and extended voting periods, which some claimed were unfair.
Despite these challenges, the ECN declared her the winner on December 3, 2024. Opposition parties have threatened legal action to contest the results.
Nandi-Ndaitwah’s victory highlights a push for gender equity in leadership across the continent and opens a new chapter for Namibia as it faces pressing socio-economic challenges such as unemployment and corruption.