Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah First Female President of Namibia, Charts Bold New Course for Africa

On March 21, 2025, Namibia etched its name into the annals of history with the inauguration of Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as its first female president.

A veteran of the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO), which has governed since the nation’s independence in 1990, Nandi-Ndaitwah’s ascent to the presidency is more than a symbolic milestone—it’s a seismic shift in African governance.

Her bold leadership has already begun to reshape Namibia’s political landscape, with a cabinet that defies convention and a visa policy that signals a confident stride toward restoring Africa’s global standing. As the continent watches, Nandi-Ndaitwah’s tenure offers a glimmer of hope—a phoenix rising from the ashes of a colonial past into a future of empowerment and sovereignty.

A Cabinet of Change: Women Take the Helm
In a move that has reverberated across Africa and beyond, President Nandi-Ndaitwah unveiled her first cabinet on March 22, 2025, appointing women to over 70% of its ministerial positions.

This unprecedented gender balance—eight out of 14 ministers and a female vice president, Lucia Witbooi—positions Namibia as a trailblazer in a continent where male dominance in political leadership has long been the norm. Far from tokenism, this cabinet reflects Nandi-Ndaitwah’s commitment to competence and inclusivity, drawing on her decades of experience as a lawmaker, foreign minister, and vice president.

“I have no doubt that we will deliver on what the people of Namibia have mandated us to do,” she declared during the announcement in Windhoek. Her choices—such as Ericah Shafudah as finance minister and Selma Ashipala-Musavyi as minister of international relations and trade—signal a pragmatic yet revolutionary approach.

By entrusting women with key portfolios, Nandi-Ndaitwah is not just breaking glass ceilings; she’s dismantling the old playbook of governance. This shift resonates deeply in a region where liberation movements like SWAPO have historically been male-led, offering a model that other African countries might emulate.

A Visa Policy with Vision: Reclaiming Sovereignty
Equally striking is Nandi-Ndaitwah’s decision to introduce a reciprocal visa regime, set to take effect on April 1, 2025. Under this policy, citizens of countries like the United States and several European nations—previously exempted—will now require visas to enter Namibia.

This move, announced amid her early days in office, is a direct response to tightened immigration policies in the Western countries, particularly under U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, which has restricted visas for several African countries and even imposed outright bans.

Namibia’s new visa requirement is more than a tit-for-tat; it’s a monumental assertion of sovereignty and a bid to restore Africa’s dignity on the global stage.

At a time when Western countries have tightened their borders, Nandi-Ndaitwah’s policy flips the script, signaling that Namibia will no longer be a passive player in international relations.

For a country renowned for its breathtaking landscapes—think the towering dunes of Sossusvlei and the wildlife-rich Etosha National Park—this could paradoxically boost its tourism appeal.

The visa process, priced at N$1200 (approximately $65 USD) on arrival, is streamlined to maintain accessibility while asserting control. Analysts suggest this could herald an upward trajectory for Namibia’s tourism sector, which is already a cornerstone of its economy, by attracting visitors intrigued by its bold stance and stable governance.

Why is Namibia so expensive?
Among the most important assignments for the new president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is to cut the cost of living in Namibia to the barest minimum.

For instance, statistics have it that the cost of living in Namibia is higher than in some other regional cities in the southern region of the African continent. This is because Namibia imports about 50% of its cereal requirements. Many other items used in daily life are also imported. High transportation costs make prices very high and unaffordable in Namibia, and it is worrisome.

From Colonial Ashes to a Modern Phoenix
Namibia’s journey to this moment is a testament to its resilience. Once known as South West Africa under German colonial rule in the late 19th century, the country endured decades of exploitation and oppression. South Africa’s apartheid regime seized control during World War I, imposing a brutal mandate that lasted until SWAPO’s liberation struggle culminated in independence in 1990. The scars of this history—land inequality, economic disparities—linger, yet Namibia has emerged as a beacon of stability in a volatile African region.

Today, the country boasts a robust democracy, an independent judiciary, and a political climate that has weathered transitions with grace. Nandi-Ndaitwah’s predecessor, Hage Geingob, died in office in February 2024, yet the handover to interim President Nangolo Mbumba and now to Nandi-Ndaitwah unfolded seamlessly.

This stability, coupled with advancements like the discovery of vast offshore oil reserves in the Orange Basin and ambitious green hydrogen projects, underscores Namibia’s rise to the top. The country’s high solar radiation and vast landscapes position it as a potential renewable energy leader, while its mineral wealth—diamonds, uranium, lithium—fuels economic promise.

A Glimmer of Hope for Africa
Nandi-Ndaitwah’s leadership arrives at a pivotal moment. Across southern Africa, liberation parties have faced electoral setbacks, yet SWAPO’s 58% victory in the November 2024 presidential election—despite a reduced parliamentary majority—reflects enduring trust in its vision. Her focus on job creation (aiming for 500,000 jobs in five years) and economic diversification tackles the stark realities of unemployment (36.9% in 2023) and inequality (a Gini coefficient of 59.1). But it’s her approach—empowering women, asserting sovereignty—that sets her apart.

For Africa, long marginalized in global narratives, Namibia under Nandi-Ndaitwah offers a counterpoint to despair. Her visa policy challenges Western hegemony, while her cabinet redefines leadership norms. As she told SABC in South Africa, “We can make our politics during the campaign, but once it’s over, we must build Namibia together.” This unity, paired with her bold reforms, positions Namibia as a phoenix reborn—proof that Africa can rise, not just survive, in the 21st century. The world is watching, and for many, this is the dawn of a new African glory.

Desmond Ike Chima,
Journalist and Travel Youtuber, discovering and telling authentic African stories
that changes lives.
EMAIL: [email protected]