Namibia has elected Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as its president, making her the nation’s first female leader.
The 72-year-old, representing the ruling SWAPO party, secured 57% of the vote, comfortably surpassing the required 50% threshold. She will extend SWAPO’s 34-year rule since Namibia’s independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990.
Nandi-Ndaitwah, currently the country’s vice president, brings decades of experience to the presidency. A veteran of Namibia’s liberation struggle, she joined SWAPO in the 1960s and has held senior government roles, including as foreign minister.
SWAPO also retained its majority in the National Assembly, winning 51 out of 96 seats. The opposition Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), led by Panduleni Itula, came second in the presidential race with 26% of the vote and secured 20 seats in parliament.
However, the IPC has announced plans to challenge the election results in court, alleging irregularities in the process.
Speaking after her victory, Nandi-Ndaitwah pledged to uphold peace and stability in Namibia while steering the nation toward further progress.
The Electoral Commission of Namibia has not yet commented on these claims.