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Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah: From a Young Activist to Namibia’s First Female President

March 24, 2025

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah: From a Young Activist to Namibia’s First Female President

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s inauguration as Namibia’s first female president on March 21, 2025, marks a significant milestone in the nation’s history. Her journey from a young activist to the highest office in the country is a testament to her dedication and resilience.

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah Biography

Netumbo Nandi was born on 29 October 1952 to Justina Nekoto Shaduka-Nandi and Petrus Nandi in Onamutai, South West Africa, today near the border of Ohangwena Region and Oshana Region, Namibia.

Her father was an Anglican clergyman. She was the ninth of 13 children. Ndaitwah was educated at St. Mary’s Mission in Odibo. Nandi-Ndaitwah became politically active as a teenager, joining SWAPO’s ranks at the age of 14.

She soon became the leader of SWAPO’s Youth Movement organisation, fighting to end South Africa’s occupation. Nandi-Ndaitwah soon became a target for the opposition, forcing her to go into hiding.

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah went into exile in 1973 and joined SWAPO members in Zambia. She worked at the SWAPO headquarters in Lusaka from 1973 to 1975 and attended a course at the Lenin Higher Komsomol School in the Soviet Union from 1975 until 1976.

She graduated with a diploma in the work and practice of the communist youth movement. In 1987 she obtained a post-graduate diploma in public administration and management from the Glasgow College of Technology, in the United Kingdom.

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in 1988 did a further post-graduate diploma, in international relations, from Keele University, also in the UK.

In 1989 she obtained a master’s degree in diplomatic studies, also from Keele University. After the 2024 November election, she was given a honorary Doctorate in diplomatic and public work done.

Political Career

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah became the SWAPO deputy representative in Zambia from 1976 until 1978 and the chief representative in Zambia from 1978 to 1980.

From 1980 until 1986, she was the SWAPO chief representative in East Africa, based at Dar es Salaam. She was a member of the SWAPO central committee from 1976 to 1986 and the Namibian National Women’s Organisation (NANAWO) president from 1991 to 1994.

She has been a member of the National Assembly of Namibia since 1990. Netumbo was deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation from 1990 to 1996 and first gained ministerial status in 1996 as director-general of Women’s Affairs in the Office of the President, where she served until 2000.

In 2000 she was promoted to minister and given the Women Affairs and Child Welfare portfolio. From 2005 to 2010, she was the minister of information and broadcasting in Namibia’s cabinet.

She subsequently served as the minister of environment and tourism until a major cabinet reshuffle in December 2012, in which she was appointed minister of foreign affairs, a portfolio since renamed to International Relations and Cooperation.

Under President Hage Geingob, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was appointed as deputy prime minister in March 2015, while serving in parallel as the minister of international relations and cooperation. Nandi-Ndaitwah sits both on SWAPO’s central committee and the politburo.

She is also the party’s secretary for information and mobilisation and as such, is one of SWAPO’s main spokespeople. In March 2023, President Geingob named Nandi-Ndaitwah as SWAPO’s presidential candidate in the 2024 Namibian general election.

Following Geingob’s death in February 2024, Nandi-Ndaitwah was appointed as vice president, succeeding Nangolo Mbumba, who became president. She is the first woman serving in that role.

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah Family

Beyond her political career, Nandi-Ndaitwah is known for her commitment to family and education. She is married to Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah, former Chief of the Namibian Defence Force, and they have three sons. Her personal journey reflects a balance between public service and family life, serving as an inspiration to many, particularly women and young girls aspiring to leadership roles.

Historic Election and Inauguration

On 3 December 2024, she was officially declared the president-elect of the Republic of Namibia, making her the first woman to hold the position.

Nandi-Ndaitwah received 683,560, or 58.7% of the vote, defeating Panduleni Itula and McHenry Venaani. She was inaugurated on 21 March 2025.

Her inauguration on March 21, 2025, coincided with Namibia’s 35th independence anniversary and was attended by leaders from across Africa.

The ceremony, initially planned for a stadium, was relocated to the presidential office due to heavy rains, underscoring the unpredictability and challenges inherent in leadership.

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s Vision for Namibia

In her inaugural address, President Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasized the importance of preserving the gains of independence while addressing the nation’s ongoing challenges. She highlighted the need for economic diversification, job creation, and social advancement.

Her administration aims to tackle the high unemployment rate, particularly among the youth, by investing in sectors such as agriculture, mining, tourism, and the creative industries.

A notable aspect of her presidency is the emphasis on ethical governance and anti-corruption measures. She has pledged to maintain high ethical standards among public servants and to ensure that Namibians benefit more from the country’s natural resources through value addition.

Challenges ahead

Despite its rich natural resources, Namibia faces significant challenges, including economic inequality and unemployment. The country’s income disparity is among the highest globally, and addressing this issue is central to the new administration’s agenda. The President’s commitment to economic diversification is seen as a crucial step towards reducing inequality and fostering sustainable development.

International relations

With her extensive background in foreign affairs, President Nandi-Ndaitwah is well-positioned to enhance Namibia’s role on the international stage.

Her tenure as Minister of Foreign Affairs has equipped her with the experience and networks necessary to strengthen diplomatic ties and attract foreign investment.

Her presidency is expected to bolster Namibia’s participation in regional and global initiatives, particularly those focused on economic development and climate change.

Awards

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was awarded the ‘thought leadership’ at the Namibia Sustainable Development Awards. Nandi-Ndaitwah was recognized with an Inter-Generational Leadership Award at the 2024 Nala Feminist (Nalafem) Summit. She further holds an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Conclusion

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s ascent to the presidency is a landmark achievement for Namibia and a beacon of progress for gender equality in Africa.

Her extensive experience, coupled with her unwavering commitment to the nation’s development, positions her to navigate the complexities of leadership effectively.

As Namibia embarks on this new chapter, the nation’s collective hope rests on her ability to foster unity, drive economic growth, and uphold the democratic values that underpin the country’s identity.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah?

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is a Namibian politician who, in March 2025, became the country’s first female president. She has been a longstanding member of the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO) and has held various significant governmental positions, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of

2. What roles has she held in the Namibian government?

Throughout her political career, Nandi-Ndaitwah has served in several key positions:

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs (1990–1996)
Director General of Women’s Affairs in the Office of the President (1996–2000)
Minister of Women Affairs and Child Welfare (2000–2005)
Minister of Information and Broadcasting (2005–2010)
Minister of Environment and Tourism (2010–2012)
Minister of International Relations and Cooperation (2012–2024)
Deputy Prime Minister (2015–2024)
Vice President of Namibia (2024–2025)

3. When did she become president?

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was sworn in as Namibia’s president on March 21, 2025, coinciding with the country’s 35th Independence Day celebration.

4. Is she the first female president of Namibia?

Yes, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is the first woman to serve as Namibia’s president.

5. Who is Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s husband?

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is married to Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah, a retired Lieutenant General who formerly served as the Chief of the Namibian Defence Force.

6. How old is Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah?

As of March 2025, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is 72 years old.

7. What is Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s date of birth?

She was born on October 29, 1952, in Onamutai, South West Africa (now Namibia).

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