Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has made history for being elected as the first female president of the Republic of Namibia.

The 72-year-old secured 57.31 per cent of the votes, enabling the ruling South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) to regain victory in the mineral-rich country, securing 51 out of 96 seats in Parliament. This, however, marked a decline in seats won in the 2019 election when the party secured 63 parliamentary seats.

The Independent Patriots for Change, led by Panduleni Itula, secured second place with 26 per cent of the votes, or 20 seats. The remaining 25 seats were shared among thirteen Opposition parties.

Nandi-Ndaitwah is Namibia’s fifth president. She previously served as the third vice-president of Namibia since February 2024.

Nandi-Ndaitwah also served as deputy prime minister of Namibia from 2015 to 2024, minister of international relations and cooperation from December 2012 to 2015, and minister of environment and tourism from March 2010 to December 2012. She is a long-time member of the National Assembly.

She is also the wife of Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah, former chief of the Namibian Defence Force.