Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has been sworn in as Namibia’s first female president.. marking a historic landmark in the nation’s political history. The 72-year-old leader took the oath of office on Friday March 21, 2025 after winning 58 percent of the vote in the 2024 election thereby extending the ruling SWAPO party’s decades-long hold on power. The inauguration was initially scheduled for the Independence Stadium but later moved to the State House due to heavy rainfall and was attended by numerous African heads of state.
The outgoing President – Nangolo Mbumba described the moment as the breaking of a glass ceiling.. noting that it had been long awaited. Nandi-Ndaitwah in her inaugural address acknowledged that her election was based on competence and experience; not entirely on gender. She recognized the country’s progress since independence in 1990 but emphasized the urgent need to address urgent issues, specifically youth unemployment which affected 44 percent of 18- to 34-year-olds in 2023.
Nandi-Ndaitwah vowed to create 500,000 jobs in five years through an 85-billion Namibian dollar ($4.67 billion) investment in agriculture, fishing and the creative industries. Calling for unity.. she encouraged Namibians to set aside political divisions and collaborate to build the nation together.
