Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has officially been sworn in as Namibia’s first female president.
At 72, she secured victory in the November election with over 57 percent of the vote, while her closest opponent, Panduleni Itula, received 26 percent, according to the electoral commission.
She now joins a select group of female African leaders, following in the footsteps of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, Joyce Banda of Malawi, and Tanzania’s current president, Samia Suluhu Hassan. Sirleaf and Banda, both former heads of state, and President Hassan were present at Nandi-Ndaitwah’s inauguration.
Outgoing President Nangolo Mbumba, 83, formally handed over power in a ceremony that coincided with the 35th anniversary of Namibia’s independence.
In her inaugural speech, Nandi-Ndaitwah committed to strengthening Namibia’s economy, creating jobs, and fostering national unity. She highlighted plans to boost employment in agriculture, fishing, and the creative and sports industries.
Speaking to SABC about her historic election, she said: “Of course, it’s a good thing that we are breaking the ceiling, we are breaking the walls.”
Namibia, one of the world’s top producers of natural uranium, plays a key role in supplying the radioactive metal to nuclear power-producing nations, including France.
