Namibia elects first female president

Namibia has elected its first female president, with Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, candidate of the ruling SWAPO party and Vice President, announced as the winner of last week’s presidential election.

At 72 years old, Nandi-Ndaitwah’s victory extends the South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) party's rule in Namibia. She received 57.31% of the vote, defeating 14 other candidates and surpassing the 50% threshold to avoid a runoff.

Elsie Nghikembua, chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Namibia, declared Nandi-Ndaitwah as the president-elect in compliance with the Electoral Act, making the official announcement in Windhoek. Nandi-Ndaitwah will be Namibia’s fifth president and Africa’s fourth female leader, following Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, Joyce Banda of Malawi, and Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania.

Previously, Nandi-Ndaitwah served as SWAPO vice-president under President Hage Geingob, who passed away in February 2024, and the outgoing President Nangolo Mbumba, who took on a transitional role after Geingob’s death.

Namibia gained independence from South Africa in 1990 after a long struggle led by the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO), which had been the primary liberation movement.

The country’s first president, Sam Nujoma, a founding member of SWAPO, served three terms, and the party has maintained political dominance ever since.

SWAPO’s rule has been marked by a strong commitment to democratic governance, although it has faced criticism over issues such as corruption and economic inequality.

Despite challenges, Namibia remains one of Africa’s most stable democracies, with peaceful transitions of power and consistent development in various sectors.