Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has been elected Namibia’s first female president, securing 57% of valid votes in the election, according to the Electoral Commission of Namibia.
Representing the ruling SWAPO party, which has governed Namibia since its independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990, Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, defeated Panduleni Itula of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), who received 26% of the vote.
Describing the election as a vote for “peace and stability,” Nandi-Ndaitwah brings decades of leadership to the presidency, having joined SWAPO during the liberation struggle in the 1960s. She has held senior government roles, including foreign minister, in Namibia’s post-independence era.
SWAPO also retained its majority in the National Assembly, winning 51 of 96 elected seats, while the IPC secured 20 seats and became the official opposition. However, the IPC plans to challenge the election results in court, citing alleged flaws in the process.
Technical issues and ballot shortages delayed the November 27 vote, leading to extended voting in some areas. Analysts attributed SWAPO’s victory to strong rural support and loyalty from older voters tied to the party’s liberation history. Political analyst Rakkel Andreas noted Nandi-Ndaitwah’s ability to unify SWAPO’s internal divisions and her unblemished reputation compared to others in the party.
