Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, Elected Namibia's First Female President with 57% of Vote

Dec 3, 2024, 07:43 PM

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, the Vice President and candidate from Namibia's ruling SWAPO party, has been elected as the country's first female president with 57% of the vote, according to the nation's electoral commission. She becomes Africa's second female president. The main opposition candidate, Panduleni Itula of the Independent Patriots for Change, received 25% of the vote but has rejected the results, citing electoral malpractices and plans to challenge the outcome in court. The election was characterized by technical problems, including ballot shortages and extended voting periods of up to three days. Despite experiencing its worst-ever electoral showing, the SWAPO party, which has been in power since Namibia gained independence almost 35 years ago, retains control in both the presidential and parliamentary elections.