Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the candidate from the long-ruling South West Africa People’s Organisation (Swapo), has made history as Namibia’s first female president following last week’s general election. According to the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), she secured over 57% of the vote, while her closest rival, Panduleni Itula of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), garnered 26%.
Despite this milestone, the election has been marred by controversy. Due to logistical issues and a three-day extension in certain regions, Itula and his party have rejected the results, citing electoral malpractice. On Saturday, the IPC announced that they would not recognize the outcome and urged those who felt disenfranchised to report their grievances to the police.
In response, most opposition parties boycotted Tuesday’s announcement of the results in Windhoek, the nation’s capital. However, Nandi-Ndaitwah remains optimistic, stating, “The Namibian nation has voted for peace and stability,” according to Reuters.
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A New Chapter for Namibia and Swapo
Swapo has governed Namibia since its independence from apartheid-era South Africa in 1990. Nandi-Ndaitwah, a seasoned politician and current vice-president, brings 25 years of high-level government experience to the presidency. Her leadership will mark a historic shift in a country where no woman has previously held the highest office. She joins Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan as one of only two female presidents in Africa.
Opposition Pushes Back
Panduleni Itula, a trained dentist and charismatic leader, has been a formidable force against Swapo, denting its support in the 2019 election when its vote share fell from 87% in 2014 to 56%. His party has vowed to “pursue justice through the courts,” keeping the political tension high as Namibia navigates this historic transition.
The situation echoes broader regional trends where once-dominant liberation parties face declining support. In May, South Africa’s African National Congress lost its parliamentary majority, while Botswana’s Democratic Party was ousted in October after nearly 60 years in power.
Looking Ahead
Despite the controversies, Nandi-Ndaitwah’s victory represents a significant moment in Namibian history, with many hopeful that her leadership will maintain peace and stability. However, the unresolved electoral disputes suggest that Namibia’s political landscape may face further challenges in the coming months.
