Namibia elect first female president

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has made history as Namibia’s first female president, according to the official results released by the country’s electoral commission.

The 72-year-old candidate won with 57% of the vote, defying predictions that suggested a potential run-off.

In her first remarks after being declared president-elect, Nandi-Ndaitwah declared, “The Namibian nation has voted for peace and stability.”

Her victory solidifies the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) party’s continued dominance, extending its 34-year rule since Namibia’s independence from apartheid-era South Africa in 1990.

However, the result has sparked controversy. Opposition parties have rejected the outcome, citing several election irregularities.

These included technical problems, such as ballot paper shortages and other logistical issues, which led to the extension of voting until Saturday.

Long lines at polling stations caused many voters to abandon the process after waiting for up to 12 hours on the first day of voting.

Namibia’s vice president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, of the ruling South West Africa People’s Organization, (SWAPO)

Opposition parties argue that the extension of the voting period was unlawful and have vowed to contest the results in court. Panduleni Itula, the candidate for the main opposition party, Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), garnered 25.5% of the vote, according to the electoral commission.

The rule of law has been grossly violated, and we cannot consider these elections to be free, fair, or legitimate, Itula stated.

Nandi-Ndaitwah’s rise to the presidency followed her appointment as vice president in February after the death of President Hage Geingob.

Although SWAPO has been in power for decades, its influence is increasingly challenged by younger voters who are frustrated by high unemployment rates and persistent inequality.

Nandi-Ndaitwah’s political career began in the 1970s as a participant in Namibia’s underground independence movement.

After returning from the UK, she joined parliament in 1990 and has held various ministerial roles, shaping her long-standing presence in Namibia’s political landscape