Namibia has made history by electing its first female president in the recent election on Wednesday, November 27. Mrs. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was declared the winner with 57% of the votes.
Her victory extends the ruling SWAPO party’s 34-year hold on power since Namibia gained independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990.
“The Namibian nation has voted for peace and stability,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said after the Electoral Commission of Namibia announced her victory.
However, opposition parties have rejected the results, citing technical issues and ballot paper shortages that led to extended voting.
Panduleni Itula, the candidate of the main opposition Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) party, trailed with 25.5% of the vote.
“The rule of law has been grossly violated, and we cannot call these elections free, fair, and legitimate,” Itula said, promising to challenge the results in court.
Nandi-Ndaitwah’s journey to the presidency began in the 1970s when she joined Namibia’s underground independence movement. She later served as a minister in various portfolios, including foreign minister, and became vice president in February after President Hage Geingob died in office.
One commentator, Rakkel Andreas, praised Nandi-Ndaitwah, describing her as a “Stateswoman”.
“She has been in some form of leadership since we gained independence… She understands the system,” he said.
Yet Nandi-Ndaitwah will face many challenges, including high youth unemployment rates and enduring inequalities. The SWAPO party has been in power for decades, but its popularity has waned among young voters.
SWAPO won a majority in the National Assembly elections, securing 51 of the 96 elected seats. The IPC won 20 seats and will be the official opposition.
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