Former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has extended her heartfelt congratulations to Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on her historic election as the first woman to serve as President of Namibia. In a post shared on her X account on Thursday, December 5, 2024, Madam Sirleaf expressed her admiration for Nandi-Ndaitwah’s achievement, noting the significance of the milestone not only for Namibia but for women leaders across the globe.
“I congratulate Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on being elected as the first woman to serve as President of Namibia. I know the hurdles women must overcome to ascend to the highest public leadership positions. This is a milestone for Namibia and one which will no doubt inspire women leaders everywhere,” Sirleaf stated.
Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, secured a resounding victory in the November 2024 general election, receiving 57% of the vote. Her election is a historic moment for Namibia, marking a significant milestone in the country’s democratic evolution since gaining independence in 1990. As Namibia’s fifth president, Nandi-Ndaitwah will officially take Office on March 21, 2025. Her election is particularly notable for breaking barriers for women in leadership positions, signaling the beginning of a new chapter for the country.
With a political career spanning several decades, Nandi-Ndaitwah has become a prominent figure in Namibian politics and a staunch advocate for equality and justice. Born in Onamutai on October 29, 1952, she has held various leadership positions, including Deputy Prime Minister from 2015 to 2024 and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation from 2012 to 2015. Nandi-Ndaitwah made history in 2017 as the first woman to hold the position of Vice President within the SWAPO party, later becoming the first female presidential candidate of the party in the 2024 elections.
Nandi-Ndaitwah’s educational background further bolsters her qualifications for leadership. She holds a master’s degree in diplomatic studies from Keele University in the United Kingdom and qualifications in public administration and international relations.
The African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, congratulated Nandi-Ndaitwah on her historic victory following Namibia’s peaceful November elections. In a November 4, 2024 statement, Mahamat commended the peaceful elections and expressed his gratitude to Speciosa Wandira-Kazibwe, the former Vice President of Uganda, for leading the African Union Election Observation Mission to Namibia.
