Namibia
By Thabo Mosia
Namibia’s ruling SWAPO party has been declared the winner of last week’s disputed elections, ushering in the country’s first woman president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. The main opposition, the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), has stated it does not recognise the results.
Vice-President Nandi-Ndaitwah secured just over 57% of the vote, while IPC’s candidate, Panduleni Itula, garnered 25.5%, according to the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN). At 72, Nandi-Ndaitwah becomes the first woman to lead the mineral-rich southern African nation, which has been governed by SWAPO since its independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990.
Election Challenges and Opposition Response
The elections, held on 27 November, tested SWAPO’s 34-year grip on power. The IPC attracted support from younger generations concerned with unemployment and inequality, rather than loyalty to liberation-era parties. Logistical and technical issues, including a shortage of ballot papers, led to long queues and extended voting until 30 November. Some voters reportedly waited up to 12 hours, with many abandoning the process on the first day.
The IPC alleged that these delays were deliberate attempts to frustrate voters and has refused to accept the results. Its presidential candidate, Panduleni Itula, 67, cited a “multitude of irregularities” and announced plans to “fight… to nullify the elections through the processes that are established within our electoral process.” IPC spokesperson Imms Nashinge reaffirmed this stance following the announcement of SWAPO’s victory.
Itula urged his supporters to remain calm but to “stand firm to ensure that we shall not be robbed neither denied our democratic right to choose our leaders.” An organisation of southern African human rights lawyers serving as election monitors also noted that the delays at the ballot box appeared intentional and widespread.
Electoral Commission’s Admission
The ECN acknowledged failures in the organisation of the vote, including a shortage of ballot papers and the overheating of electronic tablets used to register voters. Despite these issues, nearly 77% of the approximately 1.5 million registered voters cast ballots in the presidential election.
ECN chairperson Elsie Nghikembua called for unity, stating, “Elections are competitive by nature, but democracy calls upon us to unite once the votes have been counted. I urge all Namibians to embrace the results with the spirit of unity, diversity, understanding and reconciliation.”
Parliamentary Results
In the concurrent National Assembly election, SWAPO secured 51 seats, a decrease from its previous 63, while the IPC obtained 20 seats. This election was seen as a critical test for SWAPO, especially after other liberation-era movements in the region have lost favour with young voters, such as the recent ousting of the Botswana Democratic Party after nearly six decades in power.
Economic Context
Namibia is a major exporter of uranium and diamonds. However, analysts note that many of its nearly three million citizens have not benefited from this wealth in terms of improved infrastructure and job opportunities. Unemployment among 15- to 34-year-olds is estimated at 46%, according to the latest official figures from 2018, nearly triple the national average.
Nandi-Ndaitwah’s Profile
Nandi-Ndaitwah, a SWAPO stalwart known by her initials NNN, will be among the few women leaders on the continent. The conservative daughter of an Anglican pastor, she became vice president in February this year. Recognisable by her gold-framed glasses, she emphasised the wisdom of her years during the campaign, often wearing blue, red, and green—the colours of her party and the national flag.
Among her election promises, Nandi-Ndaitwah intends to “create jobs by attracting investments using economic diplomacy.”
Regional Reactions
Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, a prominent South African politician, congratulated Nandi-Ndaitwah and SWAPO on their election success. She acknowledged the challenging campaign and expressed confidence in Nandi-Ndaitwah’s dedication to the work ahead, using the hashtag #Womandla to celebrate women’s empowerment.
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah Becomes Namibia’s First Woman President.
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah Becomes Namibia’s First Woman President.
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