By Senior Reporter
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has made history by becoming Namibia’s first female president, marking a significant milestone nearly 60 years after she joined the liberation movement fighting for independence from apartheid South Africa. At 72 years old, Nandi-Ndaitwah’s journey to the presidency is a testament to her dedication and perseverance.
Nandi-Ndaitwah’s inauguration coincided with the 35th anniversary of Namibia’s independence, and she was sworn in at the official presidential office due to heavy rain. The ceremony was attended by visiting leaders from South Africa, Zambia, Congo, Botswana, Angola, and Kenya, as well as former female leaders Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia and Joyce Banda of Malawi, and current Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
As the fifth president of Namibia, Nandi-Ndaitwah faces the challenge of addressing the country’s pressing issues, including high unemployment, inequality, and poverty. She has vowed to preserve the gains of Namibia’s independence and ensure economic and social advancement for all citizens.
Nandi-Ndaitwah’s background is rooted in the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO), which led Namibia’s fight for independence and has been the ruling party since 1990. Born into a family of 13 children, her father was an Anglican clergyman, and she attended a mission school before joining SWAPO as a teenager in the 1960s.
Throughout her career, Nandi-Ndaitwah has held various ministerial positions, including international relations, environment and tourism, and women’s affairs. She has also represented SWAPO in Zambia and East Africa and has spent time in exile in Tanzania, the former Soviet Union, and the United Kingdom.
Nandi-Ndaitwah joins a small group of female leaders in Africa, including Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Joyce Banda, and Samia Suluhu Hassan. Her inauguration marks a significant step forward for women in leadership positions and paves the way for future generations of female leaders
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