Namibia Elects First Woman President in Historic Vote

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah pledges sweeping reforms to address poverty and inequality as opposition challenges election results.

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, a 72-year-old SWAPO party veteran, won the presidency with 57% of the vote, becoming Namibia's first female head of state.
The election faced logistical issues, including ballot shortages and extended voting periods, leading opposition groups to allege irregularities and plan legal challenges.
Nandi-Ndaitwah has promised 'radical shifts' to tackle poverty and unemployment, emphasizing land reform and equitable wealth distribution in one of the world's most unequal countries.
The president-elect highlighted her victory as a milestone for gender equality in Namibia, referencing inspiration from other female African leaders like Liberia's Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
Namibia's growing prominence as an oil exploration hub raises questions about how Nandi-Ndaitwah's administration will balance foreign investment with national interests.