Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah became Namibia’s first female president.

Tags: International Relations

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah became Namibia’s first female president.

Why in the news?

• Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has made history as  Namibia’s first female president-elect securing 57% of the vote in the November 27, 2024, election. 

Important points:

• Representing the ruling SWAPO party, which has governed Namibia since its independence in 1990, she defeated her closest rival, Panduleni Itula of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), who received 26% of the vote.

About  Nandi-Ndaitwah:

• Born on October 29, 1952, in the northern village of Onamutai, Nandi-Ndaitwah is the ninth of thirteen children in her family.
•  Her father was an Anglican priest, and her early life was marked by political activism.
• At just 14, she joined SWAPO during Namibia’s fight for independence from South African rule.

Education and early career:

• Nandi-Ndaitwah pursued higher education in Zambia, the Soviet Union, and the United Kingdom, earning advanced degrees in International Relations and Public Administration.
• After Namibia gained independence in 1990, she returned to play a key role in nation-building, holding several significant ministerial positions throughout her career.

Advocacy and leadership

• Nandi-Ndaitwah is a vocal advocate for women’s rights. She was instrumental in passing the Combating of Domestic Violence Act in 2002 and has consistently pushed for gender equality in a traditionally male-dominated political sphere.

About Namibia:

• Namibia, a country insouthwest Africa, is distinguished by the Namib Desert along its Atlantic Ocean coast.
• The country is home to diverse wildlife, including a significant cheetah population. The capital, Windhoek, and coastal town Swakopmund contain German colonial-era buildings such as Windhoek's Christuskirche, built in 1907.
•  In the north, Etosha National Park’s salt pan draws game including rhinos and giraffes.
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