Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah Becomes Namibia's First Female President

The 72-year-old Swapo leader secured 57% of the vote, pledging economic reforms while opposition parties contest the results.

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, a veteran Swapo politician and former freedom fighter, has been elected as Namibia's first female president at age 72.
She won 57% of the vote in the presidential election, defeating her closest rival, Panduleni Itula, who garnered 26%.
Opposition parties, led by Itula, are challenging the election results in court, citing logistical issues and a three-day extension of voting in some areas.
Nandi-Ndaitwah has pledged to address Namibia's economic challenges, including high unemployment and poverty, by leveraging the country's natural resources and creating jobs for young people.
Her victory extends Swapo's 34-year rule in Namibia, though the party's parliamentary majority has weakened, reflecting public frustration with economic inequality and governance.