Namibia has made history today after Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah became the country’s first woman President in a major milestone for the nation’s political scene. The ceremony, held in the capital, Windhoek was attended by dignitaries such as the heads of states from Angola and South Africa.
NNN, 72 years old, takes office after winning 58% of the vote in the November 2024 poll. Her win has entrenched the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) party in power for 35 years, but at an election where the opposition Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) won 25.5% of the vote.
Speaking to the nation, Nandi-Ndaitwah flagged job creation as the number one focus of her mandate, with a promise to create 500, 000 jobs in the next five years. “We must collaborate in order to lift Namibia”, she said urging unity after post election disputes. 
Her government plans to allocate 85 billion Namibian dollars ($4.67 billion) in sectors such as agriculture, fisheries and creative industries to reduce youth unemployment, which was at 44% in 2023.
A veteran of Namibia’s freedom fight, NNN has been Vice-President and Foreign Minister before becoming President. And although her leadership marks a gender milestone, her opinions on things like abortion and same-sex marriage remain conservative.
As Namibia, a uranium-rich country seeking to transition into oil, gas, and renewable, President Nandi-Ndaitwah takes the helm as the eyes will be on her to navigate the country into a new era.
