It is now public knowledge that Namibia entered a new chapter in 2025 with the inauguration of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the first woman to hold the nation’s highest office.
A new record, indeed, it is not only the future that is female, but the present is female in Namibia.
The historic rise of Her Excellency Nandi-Ndaitwah broke deep-rooted gender barriers.
It marked a strong shift toward inclusive leadership and progressive reform.
From the outset, President Nandi- Ndaitwah’s government has embarked on tackling Namibia’s key challenges head-on.
The top priority is the fight against youth unemployment and fighting corruption, with a focus on foreign direct investment, industrialisation, food security, value addition, natural resources beneficiation and mass formalisation of settlements.
This does not leave out the rural areas.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah continues to ensure that rural areas are prioritised in terms of infrastructure development.
She introduced a bold plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs over the next five years, concentrating on sectors like agriculture, fisheries, water supply, mining, manufacturing and the creative economy to revitalise growth and open career opportunities for young people.
She promptly directed her administration to operate in a bold and unconventional manner. She wants to see services delivered to all in the Namibian House without delay.
Her turnaround strategy for tertiary and vocational education reform is a cornerstone of her administration with the goal of expanding access and uplifting the country’s predominantly young population.
In a move to improve government efficiency and cut costs, Nandi- Ndaitwah reduced the Cabinet from 21 to 14 ministers by merging several ministries.
This is another new record by all accounts.
This restructuring underscores her commitment to responsible governance and the removal of unnecessary bureaucracy.
It is crystal clear that “this is indeed business unusual”.
As a staunch advocate for gender equality, President Nandi-Ndaitwah has got the whole world talking and heaping praises on Namibia.
She appointed the first female vice president.
For the first time, the Speaker of the National Assembly is a woman.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah has appointed more women in her Cabinet, with women leading key ministries and offices such as finance and education.
She is eager to see the girl child rise, but she is equally committed to ensuring the boy child is not left behind.
On the global front, her vast diplomatic experience is strengthening Namibia’s regional and international relations.
Under her leadership, the country is poised to play a more active role in global affairs, encouraging foreign investment and collaboration.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah’s leadership symbolises unity, advancement and fairness.
Her decisive actions and inclusive vision set a hopeful course for Namibia’s future, fostering renewed confidence among its people.
She embraces the future but does not forget the past.
This year marks the first time that a public holiday, 28 May 2025, will commemorate the genocide atrocities visited upon by mainly Herero and Nama communities by imperial German colonial rulers.
This it a new record.
The 8th government administration has set a record for swiftly approving the budget, with the National Assembly passing the Appropriation Bill to the National Council in just three weeks of deliberations – a first in Namibia’s history.
The National Council is now expected to act quickly to enable timely budget implementation by offices/ministries and offices.
Hence, as the head of government administration, the Prime Minister Dr Elijah Ngurare has been urging all government institutions to treat the president’s marching orders with a sense of urgency and deliver to the electorate that which was promised to all Namibians.
As the slogan goes, ‘Dust must be seen’.
This speaks to visible action and progress in the implementation of service delivery, where no one should be left out.
*Rhingo Mutambo is the chief public relations officer in the office of the Prime Minister.