Samia Attends Historic Swearing-In of Namibia’s First Woman President

• Mar 21, 2025

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan will attend the inauguration of Namibia’s first female president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, on March 21, 2025. The event, which coincides with Namibia’s 35th Independence Day, marks a historic moment for the southern African nation.

According to a statement from Tanzania’s Presidential Communications Directorate, President Samia has been invited as the guest of honor at the swearing-in ceremony. The statement, signed by director Sharifa Nyanga, highlights the strong ties between Tanzania and Namibia, dating back to the era of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and Namibia’s first president, Sam Nujoma. Over the years, successive leaders have worked to strengthen this relationship.

Besides attending the inauguration, President Samia is expected to hold discussions with President-elect Nandi-Ndaitwah on enhancing bilateral cooperation between the two nations.

Nandi-Ndaitwah’s Journey to the Presidency

At 72, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is set to make history as Namibia’s first female head of state. Popularly known as "NNN," she has played a key role in Namibian politics since the country gained independence in 1990. She has served in various ministerial positions and was a member of the National Assembly.

Her political journey faced challenges when she was accused of supporting a rebel faction in the ruling party during a succession battle. This temporarily stalled her career, but she regained political influence with the backing of former President Hifikepunye Pohamba. Known for her calm and non-confrontational leadership style, she has built a reputation as a steady and pragmatic politician.

In the 2024 elections, over one million Namibians—73% of registered voters—participated. The ruling South West Africa People’s Organisation (Swapo), in power since independence, retained control of the National Assembly but saw its support drop from 65.5% in 2019 to 53.4%. Swapo’s seats in the 96-member assembly fell from 63 to 51.

Ms. Nandi-Ndaitwah won the presidential race with 57.3% of the vote, slightly surpassing the 56.3% secured by outgoing President Hage Geingob in 2019. Opposition parties challenged the results, citing irregularities, but the courts upheld her victory, paving the way for her inauguration.

A Life of Resilience and Leadership

Born on October 29, 1952, in Onamutai village, northern Namibia, Nandi-Ndaitwah grew up in a large family. She attended St. Mary’s Mission School and was politically active from a young age. As chairperson of the Swapo Youth League in Ovamboland, she campaigned against apartheid-era oppression.

In 1973, she was imprisoned for several months before fleeing into exile in 1974. She held key positions in Swapo’s leadership abroad, serving as the party’s chief representative in Lusaka and later in East Africa, based in Dar es Salaam.

Her academic background includes a diploma in international relations from Keele University and a master’s in diplomatic studies, which she earned in 1989. In 1983, she married Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah, a senior commander in Swapo’s armed wing, who later became Chief of the Namibian Defence Force.

Swapo’s Legacy and Future Prospects

Elected as Swapo’s first female vice president in 2017, Ms. Nandi-Ndaitwah became the party’s automatic presidential candidate for the 2024 elections. The late President Geingob had previously declared her nomination a historic milestone, emphasizing the weight of responsibility she would carry.

Throughout her career, she has maintained a reputation for integrity, avoiding major scandals. While her leadership style suggests continuity rather than radical change, her clean record could strengthen public trust in her administration.

Despite her trailblazing status as Namibia’s first female president, she has not positioned herself as a feminist. She holds conservative views on issues such as abortion and LGBTQ+ rights and maintains strong ties with China, Russia, and North Korea.

As she assumes office, her presidency is expected to focus on maintaining stability and strengthening Namibia’s position on the global stage rather than implementing sweeping reforms.