Namibia’s ruling SWAPO party was declared the winner of last week’s contentious elections on Tuesday, paving the way for Vice-President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to become the country’s first woman president.
The election, however, has been rejected by the main opposition party, the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC).
Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, secured just over 57 percent of the vote, while the IPC’s candidate, Panduleni Itula, garnered 25.5 percent, according to the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN). A SWAPO stalwart since independence in 1990, Nandi-Ndaitwah now leads the mineral-rich southern African nation.
The presidential election, held on November 27, was marred by logistical and technical issues, including ballot paper shortages and malfunctioning electronic tablets used to register voters. These problems caused long delays, with some voters waiting up to 12 hours and others abandoning polling stations altogether.
The IPC accused the ruling party of deliberately frustrating voters, calling the election results fraudulent. Itula, 67, declared last week that the opposition “shall not recognize the outcome of that election” and pledged to challenge the results through Namibia’s electoral processes.
Election monitors from a southern African human rights organization echoed these concerns, describing the delays as intentional and widespread. The ECN has admitted to organizational failures but reported a turnout of nearly 77 percent of the 1.5 million registered voters.
The election has been seen as a crucial test for SWAPO, which has governed Namibia since its independence. The party’s victory contrasts with the waning influence of liberation-era movements in the region, such as South Africa’s African National Congress, which recently lost its parliamentary majority, and Botswana’s Democratic Party, ousted after nearly 60 years in power.
Nandi-Ndaitwah’s Leadership and Vision
Known for her gold-framed glasses and campaign attire in SWAPO’s blue, red, and green colors, Nandi-Ndaitwah has promised to address Namibia’s economic challenges. With unemployment among young people at 46 percent, she has pledged to attract investments and create jobs through “economic diplomacy.”
A conservative Anglican pastor’s daughter, Nandi-Ndaitwah has spent decades in public service and became vice president in February 2024. Her presidency places her among the few women leaders on the African continent and signals a historic moment for Namibia as it seeks to address inequality and economic stagnation despite its wealth in uranium and diamonds.
