Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of Namibia's ruling SWAPO party has been elected as the country’s president, becoming Namibia’s first female leader, according to results released by the Electoral Commission of Namibia on Tuesday.
Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, currently serves as vice president. Her win extends SWAPO’s 34-year tenure in power, which began when the party led Namibia to independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990. She secured approximately 57% of the valid votes, surpassing the 50% threshold required for a decisive victory.
“The Namibian nation has chosen peace and stability,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said after being declared president-elect.
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A long-time SWAPO member, she joined the party in the 1960s during its fight for independence and has held numerous senior positions, including foreign minister, in Namibia’s democratic era.
Her closest challenger was Panduleni Itula of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), who garnered roughly 26% of the vote.
Namibians also voted for the National Assembly, where SWAPO retained a majority, winning 51 of the 96 elected seats. The IPC secured 20 seats and will serve as the official opposition. However, the IPC has announced plans to challenge the election results in court, alleging significant flaws in the electoral process.
The November 27 election faced challenges, including technical issues and ballot paper shortages, which caused delays and extended voting in some areas.
While some analysts had questioned whether SWAPO would secure victory amid growing dissatisfaction with high unemployment and inequality, the party’s strong rural base and loyalty among older voters due to its role in the liberation struggle proved decisive.
Political analyst Rakkel Andreas credited Nandi-Ndaitwah with uniting SWAPO’s factions and maintaining a clean reputation amidst allegations of corruption within the party.
“She is a seasoned leader who has been in positions of authority since independence. She understands the system,” Andreas noted.
