Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah: Namibia’s Historic First Female President

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will be inaugurated as Namibia’s first female president, having won the September 2024 election with 57% of the vote. She aims to implement a five-year plan focusing on economic development and food security, emphasizing legislative changes and effective governance. Her historical appointment as president of Swapo underscores her commitment to serving the nation and improving service delivery.

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is poised to become the first female president of Namibia upon her inauguration as the country’s fifth president on Friday. Recently elected in November 2024, her victory was confirmed by the Supreme Court, which dismissed challenges against the electoral outcomes. Nandi-Ndaitwah secured 57% of the vote against her nearest contender, Panduleni Itula, who garnered 26%.

Nandi-Ndaitwah is succeeding Nangolo Mbumba, who assumed presidency briefly after Hage Geingob’s passing in February 2024. Previously, Nandi-Ndaitwah served as Namibia’s first female vice president and has emphasized her readiness to lead, stating she has been groomed for this role by her party, Swapo. “I am there to serve the people of Namibia,” she remarked.

Elevated as the president of Swapo earlier this month, she has made history as the first woman to spearhead the party since its establishment. Nandi-Ndaitwah outlined an ambitious five-year plan focusing on economic development, youth empowerment, and infrastructure enhancement, with specific emphasis on the revitalization of agriculture and effective water management.

She aims to expedite legislative changes necessary for implementing her programmes, hoping to address crucial laws, such as the Land Act, within her first few months in office. The completion of the Land Bill drafting is one of her immediate priorities. Food security, which includes harnessing 130,000 hectares of land for production, remains a core objective of her administration.

In preparation for her presidency, Nandi-Ndaitwah has assessed government projects in various regions of Namibia and is intent on forming a capable cabinet dedicated to delivering effective governance. She emphasized the importance of balancing the government branches to ensure optimized service delivery to the nation of 3.1 million residents. “Those who are going to be in that space, they should really use it effectively for us to ensure service delivery,” she stated.

In conclusion, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s inauguration marks a significant milestone for Namibia as she becomes its first female president. Having demonstrated her readiness through years of service within the government, she seeks to implement a comprehensive five-year plan focused on economic growth and food security. Her leadership aims to foster collaboration within government branches to ensure effective service delivery for all Namibians.

Original Source: www.namibian.com.na