Who Is Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah? Namibia Elects First Woman President

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has been elected as the President of Namibia on December 3, 2024. The leader of the long-time-ruling South West Africa People's Organisation (Swapo) has made history as the first woman to helm the apex position in the government. The party won 51 out of 96 elected national assembly seats. Official election results showed that Nandi-Ndaitwah won by 57% of the votes, defying predictions that she might be forced into a runoff in what was one of the country’s most fiercely contested polls.

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah: Teen Leader To Political Powerhouse

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, was born on October 29, 1952, in Ovamboland, as the ninth of 13 children. At the young age of 14, she became part of the Swapo-led movement resisting Namibia's (then South West Africa) rule from South Africa, which introduced the racial segregation system of apartheid.

Her organisational talent and bravery were recognised by the Swapo, which appointed her as leader of their Youth League. This moment became a stepping stone to her distinguished political career, in which she has held ministerial roles in foreign affairs, tourism, child welfare and information.

Nandi-Ndaitwah pursued her higher education in the former Soviet Union and later earned a postgraduate degree in the United Kingdom. She also participated in many student protests, which led to her detention followed by exile. She continued to work with Swapo in Zambia and Tanzania.

In March 2023, former President Hage Geingob nominated Nandi-Ndaitwah as Swapo's presidential candidate. After his death, she became the country’s first female Vice President. Meanwhile, Nangolo Mbumba served as president temporarily but did not contest the election.

Thank you Comrades
Thank you Namibia
Now Hard Work pic.twitter.com/AQFQBlNKIO

— H.E Dr Netumbo Ndemupelila Nandi-Ndaitwah (@VPSWAPO) December 4, 2024

Namibia's 2024 Presidential election was a contentious one, with 15 political parties in the run. Nandi-Ndaitwah retained Swapo's rule. “We are going to do what we promised you during the campaigns. Thank you for your confidence and trust in us,” she said in a brief speech after the results.