Staff Reporter

Namibia has made history by electing, its first female president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. Representing the ruling SWAPO party, Nandi-Ndaitwah secured a decisive victory with 57% of the vote (638,560 votes), reaffirming the nation’s commitment to peace and stability.

In her acceptance speech, Nandi-Ndaitwah expressed gratitude to the electorate and pledged to prioritize unity and progress.

“This victory is not just for me, but for all Namibians. Together, we will build a stronger, more inclusive nation,” she said.

Her closest rival, Panduleni Itula of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), garnered 26% of the vote (284,186 votes). Itula, a former SWAPO official, saw a slight decline in support from his 2019 performance, where he secured 29%.

On the parliamentary front, SWAPO retained a majority but saw its dominance reduced, winning 51 of the 96 seats, down from 63 in the previous election. The IPC emerged as the official opposition with 20 seats. The People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), led by McHenry Venaani, secured 5 seats, while the Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement, headed by former SWAPO youth leader Job Amupanda, claimed 6 seats.

“The Namibian nation has voted for peace and stability,” Nandi-Ndaitwah reiterated, emphasizing her commitment to addressing economic challenges and fostering national cohesion.

Her presidency marks a significant milestone for Namibia, symbolizing progress in gender representation and offering hope for a more equitable future.