Namibia made history on Friday as Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was sworn in as the country’s first female president, taking office at a pivotal moment for the nation. With rising unemployment, persistent inequality, and a struggling economy, she faces a daunting task—but also an opportunity to set a precedent for women in leadership across Africa.
The 72-year-old veteran
politician secured victory in the November elections with 58% of the vote,
marking a new chapter for Namibia’s ruling South West Africa People's
Organisation (Swapo)—the party that has governed since the country's
independence in 1990. But for Nandi-Ndaitwah, who has been part of Namibia’s
liberation movement since the age of 14, leadership comes with an added weight
of expectations.
"If things go well, it will be
seen as a good example," she told the BBC. "But
if anything happens—like it can in any administration—there are those who will
say, 'Look at women!'"
The Challenges Ahead
Nandi-Ndaitwah inherits an
economy facing a 36.9% unemployment rate, one of the world’s highest levels of
inequality, and a land ownership imbalance still rooted in Namibia’s colonial
past. White farmers own about 70% of the country’s farmland, despite making up
less than 2% of the population, according to the latest census.
"Truly, land is a serious problem
in this country," she stated, emphasizing her commitment to the
"willing-buyer, willing-seller" approach to land
redistribution—an issue that remains politically sensitive.
Beyond land reform, the new
president has set her sights on economic diversification. Namibia’s economy is
heavily reliant on mineral exports, and Nandi-Ndaitwah argues the country must
add value to its raw materials rather than exporting them unprocessed. She also
sees potential in creative industries and a modernized education system to align
with the evolving job market.
Breaking Barriers in African Politics
With her inauguration,
Nandi-Ndaitwah joins a small but growing list of female African leaders. She is
only the second woman in Africa to be directly elected as president, following
Liberia’s Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. She also joins Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan,
who assumed office after the passing of her predecessor in 2021.
While she wants her presidency to
be judged on her governance, not her gender, she acknowledges the significance
of this moment.
"It is a good thing that we, as
countries, are realizing that just as men can, women can also hold positions of
authority."
As she steps into office, all
eyes will be on how she navigates the country’s deep-rooted challenges and
whether she can deliver on her vision of economic empowerment, land justice,
and gender equality.