Namibia swears in first female President, vows to tackle unemployment

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has been sworn in as Namibia’s first female president and the country’s fifth leader after winning elections last year.

Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, was sworn in by Namibian Chief Justice Peter Shivute after outgoing President Nangolo Mbumba, 83, transferred power to her on Friday during the country’s 35th Independence Day celebration. Originally planned for the Independence Stadium, the ceremony was relocated to the State House due to rare heavy rains. The event was attended by heads of state from several African nations, including Angola, South Africa, and Tanzania.

Loud applause and ululations erupted as NNN, as Nandi-Ndaitwah is popularly known, took her oath of office.

In her inaugural speech, She acknowledged her historic election, but also said that Namibians elected her for her competence and merit.

She added that while the country has seen progress since independence, “there’s a lot that needs to be done.”

Nandi-Ndaitwah won the election late last year with securing 58 percent of the votes cast, with Panduleni Itula, her closest rival, getting 26 percent, according to the electoral commission.

Namibia is witnessing one of its “foremost daughters breaking through the glass ceiling”, outgoing leader Mbumba said. “It has been a long time coming.”

On the eve of her inauguration, Nandi-Ndaitwah said tackling unemployment was a priority.

“In the next five years we must produce at least 500,000 jobs,” she told South Africa’s national broadcaster SABC, adding it would require an investment of 85 billion Namibian dollars ($4.67bn).

Key sectors for job creation are agriculture, fishing and the creative and sports industries, she said.

Speaking during the inauguration, Tanzanian President Samia Hassan said Namibia is making history by swearing in a female president in Africa.

Hassan, who is also her country’s first female leader, thanked Nandi-Ndaitwah for “setting the bar”.