In less than a fortnight, both Namibia and the ruling Swapo Party will have a female captain – Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. This will effectively consolidate both party and State power into the hands of Nandi-Ndaitwah, who is affectionately known by the moniker ‘NNN’ among Swapo supporters.

Vice President Nandi-Ndaitwah will be sworn in as President – the highest office in the land – on 21 March 2025.

Over the past weekend, the former liberation movement elected her as party president, leading the organisation for the remainder of late president Hage Geingob’s term, and effectively avoiding two centres of power.

This is a phenomenon in the Swapo dictionary whereby the party is led by someone who is not the Head of State.

It only happened once since 1990 when Founding President Sam Nujoma vacated office in 2005, but retained the party presidency until 2007.

After a 65-year jinx, Nandi-Ndaitwah emerged as the party’s first female president, who was endorsed at the party’s sixth extraordinary congress in Windhoek at the weekend.

The atmosphere at the Country Club Hotel and Casino was charged with excitement as Swapo delegates erupted into cheers, waving party flags and chanting in celebration of her historic victory.

The 72-year-old is completing Geingob’s term, which ends in 2027.

Promise

“I step forward to serve you as your president after the passing of our two presidents, Dr Hage Geingob and the founding president. Honouring them through unity and upholding their values is the most fitting tribute to their legacy,” she declared after being given the instruments of power.

The endorsement, which coincided with International Women’s Day, added symbolic weight to the moment, with many women in attendance hailing it as a breakthrough for gender representation in Namibian politics.

Members of the Swapo Party Women’s Council (SPWC) held placards bearing messages such as ‘Break silence and pave the way for women’, and ‘Women: A leader, a unifier.’

This year’s theme, ‘Accelerate Progress,’ calls for swift and decisive action to achieve equality between women and men, which Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasised in her speech.

“As a nation, Namibians must be proud and thank our leaders, particularly our founding president Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma, for their commitment to gender equality,” she noted.

The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index 2024 showed that Namibia is ranked 8th in the world and 1st in sub-Saharan Africa, having closed more than 80% of its gender gap.

“Such data demonstrates strong progress in gender equality in our country, and serves as clear testimony that the Swapo Party’s constitutional commitment to gender equality is working, and aligns with this year’s theme,” she added.

Cementing NNN’s presidency, returning officer Wise Immanuel put matters into perspective. 

“It is evident that for the elective process underway, Her Excellency, comrade Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is the sole and only candidate for the position of Swapo Party president, which in any event is the only position subject to election at this extraordinary congress. Moreover, comrade delegates, allow me to accentuate that the approval of the central committee’s report by this extraordinary congress as aforementioned represents a collective consent and call by the delegates that comrade Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah be acclaimed, a posture consistent with Rule 36.2 of the Swapo Party Rules and Procedure for Elections.” 

“As a returning officer for the electoral process at this extraordinary congress, in accordance with Rule 31.15, read together with Rule 36.3 of the Swapo Party Rules and Procedure for Elections, I hereby declare comrade Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as duly-elected president of the Swapo Party by acclamation, to complete the unexpired term of office left vacant by the passing of Dr. Hage Geingob”, he stated.

Quality 

Speaking to New Era on the sidelines of the event, the party’s deputy secretary general Uahekua Herunga said Nandi-Ndaitwah’s election as president-elect and endorsement as party president is testament to Swapo’s commitment to equality, free from discrimination based on sex, ethnicity or race, but rather focused on leadership qualities.

“Swapo means business when we say we want to do A, B and C. We have said we don’t want discrimination based on race, sex or ethnic groups. When identifying a leader, we focus on the quality of that individual, whether male or female, and Nandi-Ndaitwah possesses the qualities that Namibians want,” he emphasised.

Herunga also addressed the now-vacant position of vice president.

“Normally, I would say, as we speak now, we don’t have a vacancy for the vice president. Why can’t we cross that bridge when we get there? But, of course, after this congress, if we have a vacancy, the political bureau will sit and make recommendations to the central committee, which will then make a decision,” he said. Not long ago, it was reported that the party had decided not to fill the position until 2027. This was dismissed as a baseless media report.

“When do we cross the bridge? It is when we get there. So, once the position of Swapo vice president becomes vacant, then you can ask me that question. I cannot discuss a position that is not vacant,” he said at the time.

Meanwhile, Swapo stalwart Ben Amathila said the party’s endorsement of a female president is a significant achievement for the country and the continent.

“The party had previously attempted to elect a female president, and I am proud we have finally succeeded,” he observed.

Opposition

While Nandi-Ndaitwah sailed through over the weekend without any hiccups, there has been opposition among certain quarters within the party about how things have been done.

Among them is Swapo stalwart and former Cabinet minister Jerry ‘Maudjuu’ Ekandjo.

He accused party leaders of wanton disregard and violation of the movement’s constitution, rules and procedures.

“The constitution does not allow for automatic promotions. You cannot inherit positions in Swapo. There were those who wanted to defend the party’s constitution and those who defended the president [Hage Geingob]. One cannot be endorsed into a position they don’t occupy. It is not true that positions in Swapo are filled through endorsements,” he contended then. However, Ekandjo’s version was thrown out of the window by Herunga. 

“To claim that positions in Swapo are being inherited is a wild allegation. There is no such thing in Swapo. So, in this case, there is no position being inherited. It’s a pure white lie,” he told New Era.

-ashikololo@nepc.com.na