Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, a 72-year-old veteran politician, has been inaugurated as the first female president of Namibia. The swearing-in ceremony took place on Friday, marking a significant milestone in the southern African nation's history. Nandi-Ndaitwah, often referred to as NNN, represents the SWAPO party, which has governed Namibia for over three decades since its independence.

The presidential handover occurred as Namibia celebrated its 35th anniversary of independence. Due to unusually heavy rains, the ceremony was relocated from Independence Stadium to State House in Windhoek. Outgoing President Nangolo Mbumba, 83, transferred power to Nandi-Ndaitwah, who secured 58% of the vote in the November elections. These elections saw SWAPO maintain its majority in parliament as well.

Nandi-Ndaitwah joins a distinguished, yet small, group of women who have held presidential office in Africa. Her counterparts include Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, Joyce Banda of Malawi, and Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania. Notably, Sirleaf and Banda, former leaders of their respective countries, and the current Tanzanian President Hassan were all present at Nandi-Ndaitwah's inauguration, underscoring the importance of this event.

Adding to the historical context, the Namibian parliament recently elected its first female speaker, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, who previously served as Prime Minister. This event preceded Nandi-Ndaitwah's inauguration by one day, signaling a shift towards greater female representation in Namibian politics.

In her inaugural address, President Nandi-Ndaitwah outlined her key priorities for the nation. A central focus will be reducing youth unemployment through strategic investments in green energy, agriculture, and infrastructure. She emphasized the importance of infrastructure development to unlock investment opportunities, enhance economic productivity, promote economic growth, and improve the quality of life for Namibian citizens.

President Nandi-Ndaitwah also advocated for the implementation of universal health coverage to ensure access to healthcare for all Namibians. Furthermore, she committed to diversifying the economy, with the aim of maximizing the benefits derived from Namibia's natural resources through value addition.

Addressing environmental concerns, Nandi-Ndaitwah affirmed Namibia's commitment to combating climate change, a significant threat to the arid country, which frequently experiences droughts. She also voiced support for the right to self-determination for the Palestinians and the people of Western Sahara. Additionally, she called for the lifting of international sanctions against Cuba, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe.

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's journey to the presidency is rooted in her long-standing involvement with SWAPO. She joined the organization as a teenager in the 1960s and lived in exile in Zambia, Tanzania, the former Soviet Union, and the United Kingdom during the 1970s and 1980s. Since Namibia's independence in 1990, she has served as a lawmaker and held several Cabinet positions, including Minister of Environment and Minister of Foreign Affairs, before becoming Vice President. Nandi-Ndaitwah is only the fifth president of Namibia since its independence.

Her husband, a retired general who formerly commanded Namibia's armed forces, has been officially designated as the "first gentleman."