Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is set to become Namibia’s first female president on Friday after winning the presidential election with 57% of the vote. She is focused on implementing a five-year agenda addressing economic growth, agricultural improvements, and food security. Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasizes the importance of effective governance and resource management as she prepares to lead the nation.
President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is poised to become Namibia’s first woman president when she is inaugurated on Friday, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s history. After winning the presidential election in November 2024 with 57% of the vote, her victory was confirmed by the Supreme Court amidst opposition challenge. Nandi-Ndaitwah is succeeding Nangolo Mbumba, who presided for 13 months following Hage Geingob’s passing in February 2024.
Previously, Nandi-Ndaitwah served as the first female vice president of Namibia and believes she is well-prepared for her new role. “When the Swapo members asked me to stand as a vice-president… I said yes, I am there to serve the people of Namibia,” she remarked, indicating her readiness given her continuous preparation for leadership roles within the party.
In addition to her vice presidency, Nandi-Ndaitwah was elected Swapo’s president earlier this month, making her the first woman to achieve this in the organization’s history. She aims to implement the party’s manifesto over her five-year term, which focuses on economic growth, agricultural improvements, youth empowerment, and infrastructural development.
She has outlined a proactive agenda which includes amending necessary laws to facilitate the implementation of the party’s plans, emphasizing immediate attention to laws like the Land Act. Nandi-Ndaitwah cited that the drafting of the Land Bill is complete and will soon be presented to the National Assembly.
Food security stands as a priority in her administration, with a target to cultivate 130,000 hectares of land, considering both commercial and communal resources. During her pre-inauguration tour of government green scheme projects, she assessed land productivity and the efficiency of government resettlement programs.
Looking forward, Nandi-Ndaitwah is committed to assembling a capable cabinet to effectively serve the nation. She emphasized the importance of optimal resource utilization in delivering services to the 3.1 million residents of Namibia. Her leadership approach involves coordinating between the government, executive, and legislature to facilitate efficient service delivery for all citizens.
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s upcoming inauguration as Namibia’s first female president represents a historic achievement for the nation. With a strong commitment to implementing her administration’s manifesto focusing on economic growth, food security, and effective governance, she is prepared to lead the country. Her proactive engagement in assessing land use and the resettlement program indicates a practical approach to addressing challenges. Nandi-Ndaitwah’s leadership aims to ensure service delivery for the Namibian people and build a balanced government.
Original Source: www.namibian.com.na
