Nambia’s first female president

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah made history on Friday as she was inaugurated as Namibia’s first female president. The 72-year-old former vice president was sworn in on the country’s 35th Independence Day, joining a select group of female leaders in Africa.

Nandi-Ndaitwah is now one of only five women on the continent to have secured presidential power through direct election. The only other currently serving female head of state in Africa is Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan.

A veteran politician and “trusted leader,” according to the BBC, Nandi-Ndaitwah has been a dedicated member of the ruling South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) since she was 14. She played a key role in Namibia’s fight for independence from apartheid South Africa, enduring arrest, detention, and exile before the country gained freedom in 1990.

Speaking to The Namibian on Wednesday, she reaffirmed her commitment to the people, saying, “I am there to serve the people of Namibia. I am prepared.”

Her leadership marks a significant milestone for Namibia, as she takes on the task of steering the nation forward with experience, resilience, and a deep-rooted dedication to public service.