Namibia Elects First Female President as SWAPO’s ...

Namibia Elects First Female President as SWAPO’s Nandi-Ndaitwah Secures Victory

Zim Now Writer

Namibia has made history with the election of Ndemupelila Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as its first female president. Representing the governing South West Africa People’s Organisation, the 72-year-old secured 57% of the vote in last week’s contested election, with her closest rival, Panduleni Itula of the Independent Patriots for Change, receiving 26%.

Nandi-Ndaitwah, a political veteran and SWAPO’s vice president, has held key government roles for over 25 years. Her rise follows the February death of President Hage Geingob, which saw her promoted from foreign affairs minister to vice president. Once sworn in, she will become one of only two female African heads of state, alongside Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan.

The announcement was made by Elsie Nghikembua, chairperson of Namibia's Electoral Commission, in Windhoek on Tuesday evening. However, opposition parties, including IPC, boycotted the announcement, alleging electoral malpractice and vowing to challenge the results in court.

In parallel National Assembly elections, SWAPO retained its majority, winning 51 out of 96 seats, with IPC securing 20. Namibia, independent since 1990, remains under SWAPO’s long-standing rule, despite declining vote shares attributed to leaders like Itula, who has been pivotal in challenging the party’s dominance.