Namibia’s Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah could make history as the country’s first female president in Wednesday’s elections. Representing the ruling South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO), Nandi-Ndaitwah leads in early polling, with 1.4 million voters expected to participate.
SWAPO, which has governed Namibia since independence in 1990, faces challenges after losing its two-thirds majority in 2019 due to corruption scandals. Critics argue the party must address younger voters’ concerns and move beyond its liberation-era legacy to regain trust.
Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, has pledged to tackle unemployment and create over 500,000 jobs, though skeptics question the feasibility of her promises. Women’s issues, including equal pay and healthcare, are expected to influence voters.
If elected, Nandi-Ndaitwah would join a select group of female African leaders, including Liberia’s Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Analysts emphasize the need for transparency and policies promoting women’s political participation under her leadership.
The elections occur amid a shifting political landscape in southern Africa, where several long-dominant parties have recently faced significant electoral setbacks.
