The Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) His Excellency Mr. Elias Magosi, on the 21st March 2025 witnessed the historic inauguration of Namibia’s first female President Her Excellency Dr. Netumbo Nandi Ndaitwah in Windhoek, Republic of Namibia.
Her Excellency Nandi-Ndaitwah won the Namibian Presidential Election in November 2024 to become one of just a handful of female leaders in Africa after the likes of H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, H.E. Joyce Banda of Malawi and H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan of the United Republic of Tanzania. All three leaders attended Nandi-Ndaitwah’s inauguration.
Nandi-Ndaitwah’s swearing-in coincided with the 35th anniversary of Namibia’s independence, but the ceremony was switched from the Independence Stadium where thousands were due to attend the official presidential ceremony but because of heavy rains, instead ended up being held at the State House.
In her acceptance speech, H.E. Nandi-Ndaitwah highlighted that she wants to be judged on her merits as a seasoned political leader and not simply because she is a woman. She indicated that women are just as capable in holding positions of authority and therefore encouraged them to continue contesting for political positions.
A warm Congratulations to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and the Namibian people.
