from ALFRED SHILONGO in Windhoek, Namibia
Namibia Bureau
WINDHOEK, (CAJ News) – FRIDAY (today) is an iconic day for Namibia as it marks 35 years of independence and swears in its first female president.
Dr Ndemupelila Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (72) is the Southern African country’s fifth president, after winning elections in December 2024.
History has already been made in the former German colony as Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila (57) was elected the first female Speaker of the National Assembly.
Both are seniors in the ruling South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO), which has been in power since independence in 1990.
On the eve of the inauguration of Nandi-Ndaitwah, the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology announced the event would be moved from a stadium in the capital, Windhoek, to State House due to extreme weather conditions that are forecast for Friday.
Audrin Mathe, the ministry’s executive director, confirmed the development.
“Furthermore, due to limited space and high number of international visitors including Heads of State and Governments, the public will not be able to physically attend the 35th Independence Celebrations and Inauguration of H.E. Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as anticipated.”
Regional leaders have arrived for the swearing-in.
Upon arrival on Thursday, President Hakainde Hichilema of neighbouring Zambia, paid his government’s respects to Namibia’s founding president, the late Dr Samuel Nujoma, at Heroes’ Acre.
“We honoured Dr. Nujoma (Sam) and his generation for their selfless leadership, sacrifices and tireless efforts to liberate Namibia and Africa,” Hichilema said.
A challenging term lies ahead for the incoming government.
NNNN, as Nandi-Ndaitwah is nicknamed, has to unite a country divided by an election that the opposition has challenged as rigged.
Unemployment, poverty and inequality are prevalent in the nation of three million people.
Namibia also is enduring the devastating impact of climate change.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects the economy to grow by 4,2 percent this year.
– CAJ News