Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah made history as Namibia’s first female president as she took office after being sworn in.  

Mrs Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, who was vice president, was sworn in on Friday, succeeding President Nangolo Mbumba.  

Due to heavy rainfall, the Namibian president’s swearing-in, which coincided with the country’s 35th Independence Anniversary, was moved from Independence Stadium to State House in Windhoek.  

Mrs Nandi-Ndaitwah polled 58 per cent of the votes, surpassing the 50 per cent requirement to win in the last election held in November 2024.  

Her challenger, Panduleni Itula of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) party, came second with roughly 26 per cent of the votes.  

The 72-year-old politician now joins the exclusive club of female presidents in Africa, including former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, Joyce Banda of Malawi, and Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania.  

The trio—Mrs. Sirleaf, Mrs. Banda, and Mrs. Hassan—were all in attendance at Mrs Nandi-Ndaitwah’s inauguration.  

Mrs Nandi-Ndaitwah’s leadership will see her party, the South West Africa People’s Organisation (Swapo), remain in power beyond 35 years, having governed since the country’s independence in 1990.