By Willie Olivier
History was made on 21 March 2025 when Namibia’s first female president was sworn in.
Ndemupelila Netumbo Nandi was born to Justina and Petrus Nandi on 29 October 1952 at Onamutai, a small settlement situated about 20 km northeast of Oshakati as the crow flies. She was the ninth of 13 children.
The young Netumbo’s formative years were influenced and determined by her family, the community, society, religion and politics. Her father was one of the first spiritual leaders of the Anglican Church in Oukwanyama and helped to establish St Mary’s Mission Church at Odibo in the 1920s. He also worked for the Anglican Church’s outstations at Onamutai and Omboloka.
Netumbo’s interest in politics and the struggle for independence was influenced by the political mobilisation meetings held by the legendary Kaxumba kaNdola (“the Organ of Endola”) at Endola, close to Onamutai. He accommodated the first group (G1) of SWAPO soldiers who infiltrated what was then known as South West Africa in 1965.
Netumbo went to the Anglican Mission Church boarding school at Odibo at the age of 14 and joined SWAPO soon afterwards. Her leadership qualities were recognised when she was elected as chairperson of the SWAPO Youth League in Ovamboland in 1970. She mobilised learners at Odibo, Oshigambo and Ongwediva and campaigned against public floggings that were meted out to SWAPO supporters by traditional leaders.
Her political activism soon attracted the attention of the South African security organs and she and other activists were arrested. They were detained for several months before their case, in which she appeared as “Accused Number One”, was heard. In late 1973, she was given a three-year suspended sentence on condition that she would not engage in political activity.
Netumbo Nandi went into exile the following year and her commitment and dedication towards the struggle for independence did not go unnoticed. She served as SWAPO’s deputy chief representative in Central Africa, based in Lusaka, Zambia, from 1976 to 1978 and as the chief representative from 1978 to 1980.
While in Zambia, she met Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah, who served in the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN). The couple got married in 1983 while she was based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, as the chief representative in East Africa – a position she held from 1980 to 1986. Her husband rose through the ranks of the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) to the rank of lieutenant general after independence and served as chief of the NDF from 2011 until his retirement in 2013. The couple has three sons and four grandchildren.
“Her hands-on leadership style, pragmatism, advocacy for women’s rights and public condemnation of corruption are likely to be the hallmarks of her presidency.”
After serving a decade in SWAPO’s diplomatic missions, Netumbo moved to the United Kingdom to prepare herself academically for her future role in an independent Namibia. She obtained a Post-graduate Diploma in Public Administration and Management from the Glasgow College of Technology in 1987. She then enrolled at Keele University in the United Kingdom and graduated with a Post-Graduate Diploma in International Relations in 1988 and a Master’s Degree in Diplomatic Studies in 1989. These qualifications would stand her in good stead for her future roles in post- independent Namibia.
On returning from exile to Namibia, she became a member of the National Assembly in 1990 when she was appointed as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. She held several ministerial positions between 1996 and 2015 when she was appointed as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation. Once again, her studies stood her in good stead. Officials who worked closely with her can testify to her hard work and commitment to understand the workings of a new ministry from day one.
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah also rose steadily through the ranks of the SWAPO Party of Namibia and held several positions. She made history when she was elected as the party’s first female vice president in 2017. Five years later, she was again elected as the party’s vice president, which made her the party’s automatic candidate for the 2024 presidential elections.
Following the death of Namibia’s third president, Dr Hage Geingob, on 4 February 2024, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was appointed as Namibia’s first female vice president by President Nangolo Mbumba who was sworn in as the country’s fourth president.
As the SWAPO Party’s presidential candidate, she embarked on a demanding election campaign, addressing rallies countrywide. She gained 58% in the November 2024 presidential vote, while her closest rival obtained just short of 26% of the vote. The other 12 contenders to the highest office in the country received the remaining 16% of the vote.
After devoting her life to the liberation of Namibia and proving to be an able administrator in various ministries since independence, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s hard work and dedication was rewarded by her inauguration as the country’s first female president and the fifth president overall since independence. Her hands-on leadership style, pragmatism, advocacy for women’s rights and public condemnation of corruption are likely to be the hallmarks of her presidency.
As Namibia transitions into a new chapter, we extend our deepest gratitude to outgoing President Nangolo Mbumba for his dedicated service during this time of change. Serving as Namibia’s president following the passing of the late Dr. Hage Geingob, President Mbumba has been a steady hand guiding the nation through a period of transition.
In a significant step toward improving airport security and awareness, SIGNA Aviation Training ATO, in collaboration with the Office of the Inspector General of the Namibian Police (NAMPOL), hosted an important training event focused on Human Trafficking Awareness and Illegal Wildlife Trade.
In a significant step towards enhancing border efficiency and streamlining immigration processes, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security (MHAISS) has officially launched the online application for visa on arrival.
As the first light of dawn stretched over the Lüderitz Waterfront, we gathered at the jetty, greeted by the crisp morning air and the promise of adventure. The crew of Penguin Catamaran Tours welcomed us aboard with warm smiles, their enthusiasm setting the tone for what would be an unforgettable journey.
