Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, currently Namibia’s Vice President, could become the country’s first female president if she wins the presidential election on Wednesday.
If Nandi-Ndaitwah becomes president, she will join the short list of female African leaders, including Liberia’s Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the continent’s first elected female president in 2005, Malawi’s Joyce Banda, and Catherine Samba-Panza of the Central African Republic.
Earlier this month, the Electoral Commission of Namibia held polls for Namibia’s foreign missions, seamen, and security services. The results showed Nandi-Ndaitwah and her party, the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO), leading over the 15 political parties contesting the presidency and seats in the National Assembly.
Approximately 1.4 million people were registered to vote in the elections.
It is worth noting that SWAPO has been the governing political party since 1990 when Namibia gained independence from South Africa’s apartheid-era government.
However, the party lost two-thirds of its members in the National Assembly in 2019 due to corruption and money laundering allegations in the nation’s fishing industry, as well as high unemployment and inequality.
Subsequently, two cabinet ministers and businessmen linked to the scandal were convicted and arrested.
To mitigate the adverse effects of the case on the party, Nandi-Ndaitwah has pledged to create more employment opportunities and reduce the unemployment rate to 20%. She announced plans to invest approximately 85 billion Namibian dollars ($4.7 billion) to create over 500,000 jobs over the next five years.
She has also emphasized addressing issues affecting women, such as healthcare, reproductive rights, and pay equity.
Though critics have dismissed some of her promises as unrealistic, they will likely resonate with voters.
“This will be the most challenging and significant election since the first one in 1989,” Rui Tyitende, a lecturer at the University of Namibia, told Reuters.
“Young people are disproportionately affected by unemployment, poverty, and a deep sense of hopelessness,” Tyitende continued. “If they do not turn out to vote, SWAPO will win.”
