Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, will become one of the few women leaders in the region when she is inaugurated at a ceremony to be attended by heads of states of neighbouring countries including Angola and South Africa.

Previously the vice president, she is a stalwart of the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) that led the sparsely populated and uranium-rich country to independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990.

Popularly known by her initials NNN, Nandi-Ndaitwah secured 58 percent of the vote in the chaotic November elections, which were extended several times after logistical failures led to major delays.

The youthful opposition Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) mounted a strong challenge but took only 25.5 percent of the vote, underscoring continued loyalty to SWAPO even as the popularity of other southern African liberation parties has waned.

A key issue at the polls was massive unemployment among the young population, with 44 percent of 18- to 34-year-olds without work in 2023 in a country of just three million people.

On the eve of her inauguration, NNN said tackling unemployment was a priority.

“In the next five years we must produce at least 500,000 jobs,” she told South Africa’s national broadcaster SABC, adding it would require investment of 85 billion Namibian dollars ($4.67 billion, 4.3 billion euros).

Key sectors for job creation are agriculture, fishing and the creative and sports industries, she said.

She appealed for unity after political divisions surfaced during the elections, which the IPC sought to annul in a failed court action.

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The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) announced she secured over 57% of the vote, defeating her closest rival, Panduleni Itula of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), who garnered 26%.

The election, marred by logistical setbacks and a three-day polling extension in some areas, has drawn criticism from the IPC and other opposition groups. Itula described the process as “deeply flawed,” with his party vowing to contest the results in court.

Claus Goldbeck, an IPC official, told the BBC the election was an “organisational mess,” citing ballot shortages and malfunctioning scanners at numerous polling stations. Some voters reportedly stood in line for up to 14 hours, only to be turned away.

While the ECN admitted to operational failures, Chairperson Elsie Nghikembua denied allegations of fraud, urging citizens to accept the results “with unity and reconciliation.”

Most opposition parties boycotted Tuesday evening’s result announcement in the capital, Windhoek. Despite the political tensions, the city remained calm on Wednesday, with no public celebrations or protests reported.

Swapo, which has governed Namibia since independence in 1990, narrowly retained its parliamentary majority, winning 51 of the 96 elected seats—a significant drop from its previous position. The IPC emerged as the official opposition, securing 20 seats.

Tirivangani Masawi, a political journalist, described the election as Swapo’s “worst performance since independence.” Nandi-Ndaitwah’s victory follows declining support for the party, with its presidential vote share falling from 87% in 2014 to 56% in 2019 under Itula’s challenge.

Nandi-Ndaitwah, a seasoned politician and Swapo stalwart who has served in high government roles for over 25 years, praised Namibians for voting “for peace and stability.”

Her victory marks a historic moment, making her the first woman to lead the southern African nation and joining Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan as the only female presidents in Africa.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa congratulated Nandi-Ndaitwah, stating, “Your election as fifth President of the Republic and the first woman in our region to hold this high office is a testament to democracy and its ability to transform our societies.”

Nandi-Ndaitwah’s presidency begins amidst growing dissatisfaction with Swapo’s governance, underlined by widespread unemployment and allegations of corruption. As Namibia embarks on this new chapter, the president-elect has called for unity and pledged to uphold the values of peace and progress.

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