Displaying items by tag: Netumbo NandiNdaitwah

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, has been elected Namibia's president, becoming the country’s first female leader. She secured 57% of the vote, avoiding a predicted run-off. Declaring her win as a mandate for ‘peace and stability’, Nandi-Ndaitwah continues her SWAPO party's 34-year dominance since the country's independence. However, opposition parties have disputed the results, citing technical issues such as ballot shortages and extensions of voting periods. Long queues left some voters waiting up to twelve hours, and critics claim that these  problems violated election laws. The main opposition candidate, Panduleni Itula, who trailed with 25.5%, described the election as ‘neither free nor fair’. Nandi-Ndaitwah's political journey began in the 1970s independence movement, followed by a 1990 parliamentary debut and several ministerial roles. Despite SWAPO’s legacy, growing youth discontent highlights challenges ahead as Namibia grapples with unemployment and inequality.