Nandi-Ndaitwah Elected the First Female President of Namibia

According to the results released by Namibia's electro commission on December 3, 2024, Nandi-Ndaitwah of the ruling party, South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO), had been elected after garnering 57% of the total cast votes against her close contender Panduleni Itula of the Independent Patriots of Change (IPC) who garnered 26% of the total votes.

Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72 years old, extends the ruling of Namibia's SWAPO party to 34 years in power since 1990 when Namibia gained Independence from South Africa's Apartheid. She is also the current Vice president of the outgoing President, Nangolo Mbumba.

The SWAPO got a majority of the parliamentary seats by bagging 51 of the 96 elected seats against IPC, who bagged 20 seats, and they will be the country's official opposition. The IPC party has vowed to challenge its defeat in court.

The elections held on November 27, 2024, were faced with technical difficulties and ballot paper shortages, which led to the extension of voting in some areas up to 3 days. If sworn in as president, Nandi will join Tanzania's President as the only female president in Africa.

President Ruto, through his X account, congratulated Nandi-Ndaitwah, saying that his election as the first Namibia female president and the fourth in the continent is a reminder that there is no limit to what you can achieve in politics.

"Your election as Namibia's first woman President - and the fourth ever elected woman President in Africa - is a powerful reminder to the people of our continent that there is no limit to what they can achieve in politics," said Ruto.