President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia recently attended the historic inauguration of Her Excellency Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as Namibia’s fifth president and its first female Head of State. The inauguration coincided with Namibia’s 35th Independence anniversary. Upon arriving in Windhoek, President Hichilema and his delegation paid tribute to Namibia’s founding president, the late Dr. Samuel Nujoma, at Heroes’ Acre. Hichilema emphasized Dr. Nujoma's sacrifices and commitment, stating, "We honor Dr. Nujoma and his generation for their selfless leadership, sacrifices, and tireless efforts to liberate Namibia and Africa...We recognize the debt we owe to Dr. Nujoma and his compatriots, and we are committed to carrying on their legacy by promoting economic liberation and development across the continent.”

On the eve of the inauguration, President Hichilema attended a State Banquet hosted by outgoing Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba. The event facilitated dialogue on regional cooperation and governance among African Heads of State and Government. Hichilema commended President Mbumba for his leadership during a period marked by significant loss, noting, “The seamless transition of leadership in Namibia and across Africa is a testament to our continent’s maturing democracy.” Zambia’s former Vice President Inonge Wina also attended the celebrations.

As Namibia embarks on a new chapter under President Nandi-Ndaitwah’s leadership, President Hichilema reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and advancing regional development. Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, secured 58 percent of the vote in the November elections, extending the South West Africa People’s Organisation's (SWAPO) 35-year grip on power. Despite a challenge from the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), SWAPO maintained its dominance, though issues such as massive unemployment among the youth remain a key concern.

Nandi-Ndaitwah has identified tackling unemployment as a priority, aiming to create at least 500,000 jobs in the next five years through investments in agriculture, fishing, and the creative and sports industries. She has also called for unity following political divisions and acknowledged the significance of her election as Namibia's first woman president, stating, "Of course it's a good thing that we are breaking the ceiling, we are breaking the walls.”

Nandi-Ndaitwah, a conservative figure and a member of SWAPO since her early teens, was exiled in Moscow during the liberation struggle. As foreign minister, she praised Namibia's relations with North Korea. Namibia, rich in uranium and other resources, faces the challenge of harnessing its potential for solar and wind energy, though Nandi-Ndaitwah has expressed doubts about the viability of the sector.