Namibia has announced the inauguration of its first female president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, set for March 21.
The ceremony will coincide with Namibia’s 35th Independence Day, a historic occasion that marks a new chapter in the country’s leadership.
Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, is the incumbent vice president and a senior member of the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO). She won the presidential elections in November with 57.31% of the vote.
Her decisive victory surpassed 14 rivals, allowing her to avoid a runoff election.
The announcement was made by current President Nangolo Mbumba, who urged Namibians to “roll up our sleeves and put in the hard work ahead of the inauguration.”
Nandi-Ndaitwah’s win ensures the continued dominance of SWAPO, which has held power in Namibia since its independence in 1990.
She will succeed Mbumba, who has been serving as interim president since the death of Hage Geingob, Namibia’s third president, in February of the previous year.
Nandi-Ndaitwah’s historic achievement as Namibia’s first female president is a significant milestone for the country, and her leadership is expected to usher in a new era of governance.
Namibia’s Independence Day celebrations on March 21 will now hold even more significance with the swearing-in of the nation’s first woman president.