Namibia is set to swear in its first woman president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, on March 21, in a ceremony that will coincide with the country’s 35th Independence Day. The announcement was made by incumbent President Nangolo Mbumba, who urged citizens to prepare for the transition.
“Let us roll up our sleeves and put in the hard work ahead of the inauguration of the new government on March 21,” Mbumba stated.
Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, currently serving as Namibia’s vice president and a member of the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO), secured victory in the November elections with 57.31% of the vote, defeating 14 contenders and avoiding a runoff. Her win extends SWAPO’s rule since Namibia’s 1990 independence from Germany.
She will take over from Mbumba, who has served as interim president for a year following the death of Namibia’s third president, Hage Geingob, in February 2024.