Namibia’s ruling SWAPO party has been declared the winner of the recent elections, setting the stage for Vice-President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to become the country’s first female president.
The Electoral Commission announced on Tuesday that Nandi-Ndaitwah received over 57% of the vote, while the main opposition candidate, Panduleni Itula of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), secured 25.5%.
This victory continues SWAPO’s long-standing dominance since Namibia’s independence in 1990, although the election has sparked controversy.
The IPC has rejected the results, alleging numerous irregularities. Itula, 67, announced on November 30 that his party would not accept the election outcome and would challenge the results through Namibia’s legal channels.
The election, held on November 27, faced significant logistical problems, including a shortage of ballot papers and malfunctioning electronic tablets for voter registration. These issues caused delays, with some voters waiting for up to 12 hours at polling stations.
Despite these challenges, the Electoral Commission reported that nearly 77% of registered voters participated. Observers from a southern African human rights organization claimed the delays were widespread and intentional.
This election comes at a critical time for SWAPO, as other liberation-era parties in the region, like South Africa’s African National Congress and Botswana’s Democratic Party, are experiencing declining support. Namibia, a key exporter of uranium and diamonds, is also grappling with high youth unemployment, which stands at 46%, nearly three times the national average.
Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, a seasoned SWAPO politician, becomes one of the few female heads of state in Africa. During her campaign, she focused on “economic diplomacy” and pledged to reduce unemployment by attracting investment.
Known for her distinctive gold-framed glasses and her consistent use of SWAPO and national flag colors, Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasized her experience and wisdom. As the daughter of an Anglican pastor and a dedicated party member, her ascension marks a historic milestone for Namibia and poses a challenge for SWAPO to maintain its influence amid growing dissatisfaction among younger voters.
