Story by Bruce Chahwanda, Political Editor
NAMIBIA’s first female President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has been sworn in at the State House in Windhoek this Friday, pledging to unite the country towards nation-building.
President Nandi Ndaitwah took oath as the fifth President of the republic on a day Namibia also marked its 35th independence anniversary.
SADC Chairperson President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who witnessed the inauguration ceremony, noted the need for unity to propel regional integration.
The handing over of instruments of power by outgoing President Dr Nangolo Mbumba to the incoming President epitomised the business of day, with Independence Day celebrations running simultaneously.
“We all need to put our hands on the plough, there is a role to play for each one of us. I implore all citizens to join me on this journey of nation-building. Our country has witnessed unprecedented urbanisation hence the need to invest in infrastructure development,” she said.
President Mnangagwa, who interacted with heads of state who attended the inauguration ceremony, highlighted the importance of unity for the growth of the regional trading bloc.
“We need to continue supporting each other as the region, this is what it ought to be. It is the only way our region will grow if we share our perspective as respective countries and move forward,” he said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah represented the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) in the November 2024 elections, winning 57.31% of the vote, beating 14 other contenders.
She succeeds Nangolo-Mbumba, who served as interim president for a year after the death of the third President Hage Geingob in February last year.
