Nandi-Ndaitwah Prepares for Historic Presidency as Namibia’s First Female Leader

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is set to become Namibia’s first female president. She won the election in November 2024 with 57% of the votes and aims to focus on economic growth, food security, and land utilization. Nandi-Ndaitwah intends to amend necessary laws for effective governance and enhance service delivery in her administration.

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will be inaugurated as Namibia’s first female president on Friday, marking a historic moment for the nation. She secured her position after winning the presidential election in November 2024 with 57% of the votes, defeating her closest opponent, Panduleni Itula, who garnered 26%. The Supreme Court upheld Nandi-Ndaitwah’s victory against opposition claims regarding the election’s legitimacy.

Assuming the presidency from Nangolo Mbumba, who served a brief 13-month term after Hage Geingob’s passing, Nandi-Ndaitwah is prepared to lead state affairs as laid out by the ruling SWAPO party. “I am there to serve the people of Namibia. Since then, they have been preparing me for the job which they have assigned me. So, I am prepared,” she stated.

Previously, Nandi-Ndaitwah served as the vice president and minister of international relations, becoming SWAPO’s first female president and its candidate for the presidency following the party’s Congress in 2022. She emphasized her administration’s focus on key areas such as economic growth, agriculture, youth empowerment, and housing improvements, all detailed in the party’s manifesto.

Nandi-Ndaitwah mentioned that her administration’s effective rollout will require amendments to existing laws, including the Land Act, which she aims to address early in her presidency. She expressed commitment to improving food security, focusing on utilizing 130,000 hectares of underused land and enhancing production in both commercial and communal areas.

Prior to her inauguration, she visited various government projects to assess their productivity and identify underutilized land purchased by the government. Nandi-Ndaitwah also highlighted the need for a capable cabinet to ensure successful governance, stating the importance of creating a balance between the executive and legislative branches for effective service delivery.

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is poised to become Namibia’s first female president, having secured her position in a recent election. Her administration will focus on advancing economic initiatives, land utilization, and food security. Nandi-Ndaitwah is prepared to address legislative needs and aims to foster effective service delivery through capable governance, maintaining a balance between government branches.

Original Source: www.namibian.com.na