Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah made history on March 21, 2025, as she was sworn in as Namibia’s first female president, nearly six decades after joining the country’s liberation movement.
At 72 years old, Nandi-Ndaitwah’s election in November 2024 placed her among Africa’s trailblazing female leaders, following in the footsteps of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, Joyce Banda of Malawi, and Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania.
Her inauguration coincided with Namibia’s 35th independence anniversary and was attended by regional leaders and former female heads of state.
Due to heavy rains, the event was relocated from a stadium to the presidential office, where she took her oath in the presence of dignitaries from South Africa, Zambia, Congo, Botswana, Angola, and Kenya.
A lifelong journey in leadership
Born on October 29, 1952, in Onamutai, Namibia, Nandi-Ndaitwah’s political journey began at just 14 years old when she joined the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO), the party that led Namibia’s struggle for independence from South Africa.
Forced into exile in 1973, she worked at SWAPO’s headquarters in Zambia before pursuing political and diplomatic studies in the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom. Over the years, she held several key government positions, including deputy prime minister from 2015 to 2024 and minister of international relations and cooperation.
In 2017, she became the first woman elected as SWAPO’s vice president and later made history as the party’s first female presidential candidate in 2024. Following the death of President Hage Geingob in February 2024, she was appointed vice president before winning the election.
A vision for Namibia’s future
As Namibia’s fifth president, Nandi-Ndaitwah has pledged to strengthen democracy and drive economic progress. In her inaugural address, she emphasized the need to preserve the gains of independence while pushing forward with economic and social reforms.
“The task facing me as the fifth president of the Republic of Namibia is to preserve the gains of our independence and ensure that the unfinished agenda of economic and social advancement is carried forward with vigor and determination,” she said.
Her presidency comes at a crucial time as Namibia faces economic challenges, youth unemployment, and the pursuit of sustainable development. She has committed to tackling these issues head-on while enhancing Namibia’s role in regional and global diplomacy.
Nandi-Ndaitwah’s lifelong dedication to public service has earned her numerous accolades, including the Inter-Generational Leadership Award at the 2024 Nala Feminist Summit, the Thought Leadership Award at the Namibia Sustainable Development Awards, and an honorary doctorate from the University of Dar es Salaam.
Married to Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah, former Chief of the Namibian Defence Force, she remains a staunch advocate for women’s empowerment, education, and community development.
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